NORRISTOWN, Pa., Aug 29, 2006 /PRNewswire

 

Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced the commonwealth has redoubled its green electricity purchase to 20 percent from 10 percent, harnessing state resources to further develop markets for sustainable energy sources that will create jobs, enhance homeland security and provide significant environmental improvements in Pennsylvania.

"By leading the way to clean, renewable sources of energy produced from indigenous resources, Pennsylvania is providing solutions to some of our nation's most compelling problems: creating reliable sources of affordable energy; cleaning our air and waterways and cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions; improving our homeland security; and putting thousands of our citizens to work in family-supporting jobs," Governor Rendell said.

Through modifying its existing contract with Community Energy Inc., the commonwealth will purchase 200,000 megawatt hours a year, or 20 percent of state government's electricity, from renewable sources such as wind and hydroelectric energy, all at a premium rate of only 0.34 cents per kilowatt hour.

The enhanced purchase makes Pennsylvania the largest state purchaser of green electricity and ranks Pennsylvania number 12 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Top 25 Green Power Partners list.

"Pennsylvania is taking the initiative to develop an energy management plan that will help to save taxpayers money," said Department of General Services Secretary James P. Creedon, who also serves as co-chairman of the Governor's Green Government Council (GGGC). "By increasing our investment in green power, we can broaden the market for clean energy providers and work to reduce energy costs for the commonwealth, rather than increasing our reliance on traditional energy sources and narrowing our options for competitive rates."

"Pennsylvania is meeting its energy challenge head on and using it as a historic opportunity to foster clean sources of energy and create new economic opportunities," said Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty, also co-chairman of the Governor's Green Government Council. "By leveraging our purchasing power and strategic investments, Pennsylvania is aggressively pushing the boundaries of clean energy production."

Wayne, Delaware County-based Community Energy, Inc. is a marketer and developer of wind energy generation founded in 1999. CEI this year became a wholly owned subsidiary of IBERDROLA, the largest owner and operator of renewable energy facilities in the world. IBERDROLA is also largest shareholder in the Spanish wind company, Gamesa Corp., which chose to base its North American headquarters in Pennsylvania following a campaign spearheaded by Governor Rendell. Gamesa, the second largest wind energy company in the world, earlier this year increased its investment in the commonwealth to more than $84 million, with its U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia and the launch of manufacturing facilities in Bucks and Cambria counties. Gamesa will create as many as 1,000 jobs in Pennsylvania over five years.

"Pennsylvania's leadership on energy is unmatched," said Brent Alderfer, Community Energy's chief executive officer. "The latest purchase of clean energy continues to drive progress and sets the benchmark for other states. Pennsylvania's commitment to action points the way to a secure, clean energy future nationally."

The contract calls for electricity that is generated 40 percent from wind power and 60 percent from hydroelectric sources. Both produce electricity with zero emissions of air pollution. The 200,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy represent avoided emissions of 951 tons of sulfur dioxide, 271 tons of nitrogen oxide and 123,410 tons of carbon dioxide. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide contribute to acid rain, fine particulate pollution and regional haze, and nitrogen oxide is also a key component of smog. Carbon dioxide is one of the most potent greenhouse gases.

Shortly after taking office in 2003, the Rendell administration doubled the state's commitment to its Green Power program, requiring state facilities to meet 10 percent of their energy needs through renewable energy sources. The Governor has launched other major initiatives to build a clean, indigenous, diversified energy industry in the state.

Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, one of the most progressive in the nation, ensures that 18 percent of all retail energy generated by 2020 comes from clean, efficient and advanced resources. Clean energy builds substantially on the state's leadership in wind production east of the Mississippi, with wind sources providing enough clean energy to power some 70,000 homes.

The commonwealth is leading in other areas of advanced energy development and energy efficiency. Governor Rendell's "PennSecurity Fuels Initiative" will produce and use 900 million gallons annually of clean, domestic fuel --- an amount equivalent to what the state is expected to import from the Persian Gulf 10 years from now. The Governor is investing $30 million over the next five years to build re-fueling and production infrastructure to support wide distribution of the alternative fuels.

Pennsylvanians now spend some $30 billion per year on imported energy fuels. Instead of spending overseas, Governor Rendell is investing at home and putting Pennsylvanians to work.

Brought back to life after years of inactivity, the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority has awarded $15 million in grants and loans for 41 clean energy projects that will leverage $200 million in private investment. The projects will create 1,558 permanent and construction jobs.

The Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant Program has awarded $15.9 million and leveraged another $43.7 million in private funds since its inception in May 2003 for projects using sources such as wind, solar, biomass, waste coal and recycled energy.

Pennsylvania is among the national leaders in energy efficiency with more than three dozen buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council under the internationally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. Eight of the certified buildings are state facilities. Another 129 Pennsylvania buildings are registered for LEED certification.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us .

CONTACT: Kate Philips

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

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