PA Governor: White House Forum Explores The Role Of Green Energy In Revitalizing The U.S. Economy

Sept. 17, 2009 -- BENSALEM, Bucks County – Emerging clean energy technologies are creating millions of new jobs that will cut pollution while producing alternative sources of energy, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell told top Obama administration officials at Clean Energy Economy Forum today.

Governor Rendell welcomed U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, White House Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy Ron Bloom, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy Amanda Dory, and Delaware Governor Jack Markell to the third in this series of forums. The first two forums were held in Colorado and Michigan.

Article continues below...

“This event is an opportunity to showcase how Pennsylvania and the nation can help promote manufacturing, build a green economy with green-collar jobs, and encourage energy conservation,” said Governor Rendell. “Pennsylvania has led the nation in energy and fuel production from the very earliest days of our nation’s history. The coal, oil and natural gas produced in our state has heated homes, fired furnaces and generated electricity, providing good jobs and building an industrial economy that made America a global leader.

“Now, through a combination of federal, state and private investment dollars, Pennsylvania again leads the way in alternative forms of energy such as solar and wind, which are cutting our reliance on imported fuels, increasing our energy security and generating tremendous new economic opportunities,” he said.

The forum was held at Accu-Weld, a manufacturer of high-efficiency, vinyl replacement windows for the residential home market. The 28-year-old company has experienced an increase in demand because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, because the company’s products meet the energy efficiency standards in the legislation. Under ARRA, homeowners who make energy efficiency improvements to their homes within the next two years—such as installing these windows and doors—are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit capped at $1,500. Homeowners who purchase these products would also be eligible for a loan or rebate under Pennsylvania’s new Keystone HELP Residential Energy Efficiency Loan and Rebate Program.

ARRA has sparked additional investment in Pennsylvania’s green energy economy. Overall, Pennsylvania anticipated $455 million in Recovery Act funding for energy efficiency and conservation projects for homes and small businesses and to leverage millions of dollars in private investments.

Pennsylvania has already invested more than $19 million of its Recovery funding in 29 projects that hold the promise to create nearly 1,000 (352 permanent/602 temporary) new jobs and retain more than 200 jobs in communities throughout the commonwealth.

Governor Rendell said the combination of federal energy programs and Pennsylvania’s major energy policy and legislation will attract billions in private investments that will produce real results during turbulent economic times. Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004, its $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund passed in 2008 and Act 129 have already helped Pennsylvania attract major new energy and technology companies to the commonwealth that are employing thousands of Pennsylvanians in high-growth industries that will dominate energy in the 21st Century.

“Advanced energy companies like Gamesa, Conergy, Iberdrola, Solar Power Industries and General Electric have all established operations in the commonwealth and growing advanced energy firms like Axion Power International, Plextronics and AE Polysilicon are building upon their respective innovations and creating thousands of new jobs,” said Governor Rendell. “Companies are investing millions of their own dollars in natural gas, solar, carbon capture and storage technology, as well as wind, geothermal, hydro, biodiesel, and cellulosic ethanol technology. They realize that investing in alternative fuels is essential if we are going to become energy independent.

“While we are making great progress, we must continue to press forward. Green energy technology is good for business, good for our hard-working citizens and good for the environment. As we develop new and more efficient ways of producing cleaner energy, we must not lose sight of the fact that we must also continue to conserve energy and not be wasteful of the energy we do generate.”

Source: Pennsylvania Governor