NYC Power Outage Gives Stark Evidence of Need for Energy Independence Strategy
Legislature Urged to Pass Vital Bills by July 4, Ignoring the Electric Utility Interests Swarming Capitol to Deny Consumers Lower Energy Bills, Cleaner Energy
HARRISBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today’s power outage in Manhattan and the Bronx affecting vital subway travel and incapacitating more than 100,000 businesses and households on one of the hottest days of the year provides stark evidence of the need for the Pennsylvania legislature to pass the Energy Independence Strategy immediately, according to Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture).
“The legislation proposed in the Energy Independence Strategy (EIS) is designed to protect Pennsylvanians from the massive blackouts and high prices sure to come as energy demand increases,” said John Hanger, PennFuture’s president and CEO and former member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. “We must give all customers the tools and incentives needed to cut demand – like smart meters – and we must also expand our investments in clean, renewable energy, especially solar power, which can be generated onsite and is not prone to distribution outages. Today, the problem is in New York City; unless our legislature acts immediately, tomorrow could be Pennsylvania’s turn.
“Unfortunately, the representatives of the status quo – electric utilities devoted to using outdated and dirty power plants to reap profits from millions of customers – are attempting to stop the EIS, denying customers lower energy bills and cleaner energy,” continued Hanger. “As I speak, these interest are conducting a massive campaign under a number of guises – robocalls, under the banner of a tort reform group are misleading citizens about the EIS and urging them to ‘stop taxes’ by demanding a NO vote on the EIS from their representative; well-heeled lobbyists are prowling the Capitol, pulling legislators off the floor if necessary to force a NO vote; and misleading memos and commentary are circulating to media and elected officials alike, making dire predictions about the EIS.
“But we only need to look at what’s happening right now to see that we need the new energy policies of the EIS, and we need them right now,” continued Hanger. “Without the new clean energy plan, our environment, our public health, our economy and our future are all at risk. The people of Pennsylvania know this, with a startling 96 percent supporting alternative energy, and nearly 70 percent supporting the new public benefits charge that will fund the EIS.
“Our legislators should do the right thing and pass the EIS before July Fourth, giving Pennsylvanians a new reason to celebrate – energy independence,” concluded Hanger.
