Pennsylvania a clean energy leader, Pew Research says
January 5, 2015 | By
Doug Peeples
California may get the spotlight for its renewable energy and related mandates, alternative energy jobs and other achievements, but other states are making their mark too. Pennsylvania has become a clean energy leader, according to a report from The Pew Charitable Trusts. The research center, a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, says Pennsylvania has established a clean energy economy, and that over the past five years has added almost 1.4 gigawatts of clean energy installed capacity and brought in $3.5 billion in clean energy investment. Wind energy and hydropower account for the bulk of renewable energy in the state. "By setting a goal for renewable energy and offering incentives for clean energy projects, Pennsylvania has been able to attract private investment, create new jobs and diversify its energy mix," said Tom Swanson, manager of Pew's Clean Energy Initiative. The report noted that a combination of creative financing, property tax incentives, grants and loans, and other measures contributed to the state's newfound status. Also credited were the state's manufacturers and large-scale energy users for their efforts to incorporate combined heat and power and waste heat to power to cut their operating costs and enhance energy efficiency. Pew Clean Energy Initiative officer Jessica Lubetsky also pointed to the state's 2011 fourth place ranking in energy- and environment-related employment as well as solid policies, according NPR's WESA where she mentioned that one policy improvement the state could make would be to amend its clean energy rules to require the solar energy it uses to be generated inside the state. Currently, the state gets credit for imported solar power to help it meet its Renewable Porfolio Standards. For more: Related article: © 2015 FierceMarkets, a division of Questex Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/pennsylvania-clean-energy-leader-pew-research-says/2015-01-05 |