HARRISBURG, – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, applauded Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s proposals to unleash Pennsylvania’s potential and move the commonwealth toward energy independence.
“Every year around Feb. 2, I lament how we focus more attention on a groundhog than to addressing energy woes that make winter a season of desperation for too many citizens,” said George, D-74 of Houtzdale. “This year, we can greet the groundhog knowing that we no longer are content to being slapped around by Mother Nature, OPEC, the oil industry or man-made catastrophes.”
George said Pennsylvania also is in a race to fix the 7-year-old deregulation debacle that will see all electricity rate caps expire in less than four years, subjecting residents and businesses to potentially devastating rate increases.
“Pennsylvania’s energy problems are multi-faceted but must be confronted,” George said. “Our potential vastly exceeds the problems, however, and Governor Rendell has provided the ideas and impetus for us to succeed with his $850 million Energy Independence Fund.
“Some of the proposals will be problematic, including the suggested surcharges and voluntary electric-payment increases to allay monstrous, electric-rate increases,” George said. “However, the governor’s initiatives regarding ethanol, bio-fuel and alternative energy will return Pennsylvania to its historic status as an energy powerhouse, which is a welcome change from its more-recent history of resorting to whimpering and wishing on woodchucks.”
