HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct 23, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire

Governor Edward G. Rendell said today that Pennsylvania is leading the way by increasing the percentage of renewable energy it purchases to run state government operations.

At nearly 30 percent, Pennsylvania's total "green" energy purchase moves Pennsylvania ahead of every other state in terms of how much clean energy it consumes. It also easily surpasses the 20 percent goal the Governor established last year.

The commonwealth is now the only state on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Top 25 Green Power Partnership list.

"When it comes to the development and consumption of green energy, Pennsylvania is leading by example," said Governor Rendell. "Our commitment to purchasing clean, renewable energy has earned Pennsylvania the honor of being the only state in the country to be included in the top 25 list of renewable energy purchasers. Developing and consuming clean, reliable and affordable sources of energy in our country is crucial to protecting our national security, reducing our impact on the climate and creating new economic opportunities for our people."

By modifying its existing contract with Community Energy Inc., the commonwealth will purchase 277,399 megawatt hours a year, or 28 percent of state government's electricity, from renewable wind and hydroelectric sources.

The contract calls for electricity that is generated 57 percent from wind power and 43 percent from hydroelectric sources. The contract expires on June 30.

EPA unveiled its latest Green Power Partnership standings on Monday. Pennsylvania ranks 13th with 157,200 megawatt hours of qualifying green power purchased. Only Pennsylvania's wind power purchases qualify for the EPA's list.

The Governor said other Pennsylvania entities are also leading by example. The University of Pennsylvania ranks 21st, while other international corporations with operations in Pennsylvania also made the list, including Pepsi, Wells Fargo, Whole Foods Market, Johnson and Johnson, Kohl's, Starbucks, DuPont, Staples and IBM.

Shortly after taking office, Governor Rendell doubled Pennsylvania's renewable energy purchase to 10 percent. Last year, he again doubled the state's green power purchasing commitment to 20 percent. The 2006 commitment earned Pennsylvania a 2006 Green Power Leadership award from the EPA and the U.S Department of Energy.

"A year ago, Pennsylvania took the lead to increase our green power purchase," said Department of General Services Secretary James P. Creedon, who also serves as co-chairman of the Governor's Green Government Council. "This not only helped to save us money, but it also helped to broaden the market for power sources and generate more competition and lower rates in the future. This next step positions us for additional savings and sends a message to the market that a large buyer like the commonwealth will demand alternatives."

Green power purchases help accelerate the development of new renewable-energy capacity by making more capital available for investment. By increasing renewable energy capacity, the additional green power purchase helps Pennsylvania meet its commitments under the state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, which calls for 18 percent of all retail energy generated by 2021 to come from clean, efficient and advanced resources.

Since the act's passage in 2004, the portfolio standard has attracted $1 billion in new, private investment to Pennsylvania, which has helped to create nearly 3,000 jobs.

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said the state's leadership on the issue, along with the Governor's Energy Independence Strategy, will help drive additional growth in the industry for Pennsylvania.

"As Governor Rendell told the General Assembly last month, he's committed to ensuring Pennsylvania is the leading destination for renewable energy companies looking to grow," said McGinty. "What better way to voice that support than by leading with our wallet?

"With our power purchases and forward-looking policies, we're working to create more opportunities for our people in an industry that's growing by leaps and bounds. And, with the Governor's Energy Independence Strategy, we'll be able to compete with other states and nations for additional renewable energy development projects. Investing in this field is a win-win for Pennsylvania; it strengthens our economy and national security, and it puts our energy dollars to work here at home creating jobs."

Governor Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy, now the subject of a special session of the General Assembly, will leverage $850 million in new state resources to attract $3.5 billion in new private investments and create 13,000 jobs. The strategy is designed to save power consumers $10 billion over 10 years and reduce the state's dependence on foreign oil by requiring nearly a billion gallons of biofuels be produced and consumed in the commonwealth.

For more information on the Energy Independence Strategy, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us and click on the "Fueling Energy Savings" icon. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's list of top 25 green power purchasers is online at: http://epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/top25.htm .

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: www.governor.state.pa.us .

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

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