EXTON – Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said today that the growth southeastern Pennsylvania has experienced in the clean and alternative energy industries over the past three years shows the economic development potential the state can realize by investing in the future and committing to these proven technologies.
“Since 2004, southeastern Pennsylvania has seen considerable growth in industries like solar and wind power,” said McGinty. “Three of the world’s largest firms in those fields have multiple operations in this part of the state — Conergy, the world’s leading solar integration company, has an engineering subsidiary in Malvern and a financial office in Philadelphia; Iberdrola, the largest owner and operator of renewable energy facilities in the world has a new corporate office in Radnor, Delaware County; and Gamesa, the world’s second largest wind turbine manufacturer, has a manufacturing plant in Bucks County and its North American headquarters in Philadelphia.
“Combined, these three firms have delivered more than $200 million in new investments and committed to creating more than 1,000 jobs statewide,” said McGinty. “That’s the kind of growth we can see when we’re willing to invest in our economy, our communities and our people.”
With Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s proposed Energy Independence Fund, which is to be considered in the special session of the General Assembly beginning Sept. 17, the secretary said Pennsylvania will attract further development.
“Governor Rendell’s Energy Independence Strategy represents a substantial investment in our future,” said McGinty. “By targeting $850 million to grow Pennsylvania’s alternative and renewable energy development industries, we can attract $3.5 billion in private investment and create another 13,000 jobs for our talented and hardworking men and women. What’s more, these new opportunities will also help us meet our energy demands through domestic means.
“Rather than relying on sources like foreign oil from countries of the Middle East that are politically unstable and hostile to American interests, we can use resources that are abundant in Pennsylvania — things like solar, wind, hydro, biomass and coal. Doing so strengthens our national security, protects our economy and preserves our way of life.”
The governor’s PennSecurity Fuels Initiative — another part of his Energy Independence Strategy — will also be considered in the special session. Using investments through the proposed $850 million Energy Independence Fund and the state’s existing alternative fuels incentive grant program, PennSecurity Fuels will require that every gallon of gasoline sold in Pennsylvania include 10 percent ethanol and every gallon of diesel fuel include 20 percent biodiesel. Certain targets toward these goals would be established and “triggered” once homegrown production levels reached certain benchmarks.
During a kickoff event at the Chester County Economic Development Council’s headquarters, the local business leaders announced the Southeastern Pennsylvania Smart Energy Initiative — a public-private partnership that will prepare workers for roles in the emerging clean energy industry, improve productivity, and create a pipeline of talent to meet future employment demand.
The regional Smart Energy Initiative, serving Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties, will consist of private-sector employers, the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, academic institutions and the environmental group, Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future.
The initiative’s mission is to meet current employers’ needs for worker training, to create greater opportunities for workers, and to continue enhancing the region’s attractiveness to clean industry companies looking to locate facilities in the region.
“As more and more companies in these fields choose to start-up or re-locate to Pennsylvania, the demand for skilled workers will increase,” said McGinty. “I applaud the local leaders, companies and environmental groups that have recognized this need and are taking steps to ensure our workers have the skills and tools they need to compete and succeed.”
“The Chester County Economic Development Council is excited to collaborate with such a broad array of partners in the five-county region and to serve as a catalyst to expand the clean and renewable energy sector in southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Gary Smith, council president and chief executive officer. “The Smart Energy Initiative is modeled after two other very successful industry partnerships facilitated by the CCEDC — Information Technology and LifeSciences — and we look forward to putting in place another keystone of our region’s progressive economy.”
Following today’s event, participants will receive needs assessment surveys that will be used to form a strategic plan later this year. Future training opportunities could take place on an employer’s premises, in training facilities operated by initiative partners or in classrooms.
Rendell has convened a special session of the General Assembly where legislators will resume work on the Energy Independence Strategy he proposed in February. The plan protects Pennsylvania consumers from double- and triple-digit electricity rate increases that will hit the entire state within three years, grows the state’s economy by promoting the development and deployment of clean, renewable energy technologies and strengthens national security by reducing dependence on foreign oil.