Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Local lawmakers highlight clean energy solutions
MEDIA >> Local residents turned out over the weekend at Penn State Brandywine for a clean energy expo promoting clean energy solutions and calling on Pennsylvania to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. It was hosted by state Sen. Tom Killion and state Sen. Chris Quinn.
“Eliminating the use of fossil fuels here in the Commonwealth would reduce harmful air pollution, save consumers money, and combat climate change,” said Jess Cadorette, Climate Defender Organizer for Delaware and Chester County at Penn-Environment. “We applaud Senator Killion for his leadership on this visionary bill, and we thank Representative Quinn for cosponsoring the House version of this bipartisan legislation to make Pennsylvania a leader in tackling climate change.”
Killion is the lead primary sponsor of the Senate Bill 630, the Renewable Energy Bill. It and its identical version in the State House, HB1425—would require Pennsylvania to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.
“Transitioning to renewable energy is critical to providing a healthier environment for all Pennsylvanians,” said Killion. “Our state constitution declares ‘the people have a right to clean air, pure water.’ Our event highlighted this important issue and showed many other ways we can protect our environment.”
Quinn is one of 100 bipartisan legislators cosponsoring the legislation.
“Protecting our environment for future generations is obviously a critical issue for those of us in public service,” Quinn said. “But the renewable energy sector is also an important growth area for our economy. As green energy continues to develop, new industries and jobs will flow from that creation. Therefore, it is important to Delaware County and Pennsylvania as a whole to stay at the forefront of the industry and bring new, well-paying jobs to our region. While the environmental impact is paramount, the benefits to growing and developing green energy go well beyond that.”
At the expo, residents met with businesses from throughout the Delaware Valley, including Solar States, Powell Pump & Well Drilling, Main Line Security & Energy Services, and more to learn about clean energy solutions that are already in place.
“The cleanest and cheapest form of energy is the energy we never use,” said Julian Boggs, of Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance. “Investments in energy efficiency create jobs, save customers money, strengthen the economy, and should be a major part of any plan to tackle climate change.”
Killion said the recent E2 Jobs report shows the jobs provided by the clean energy and energy efficiency industry have already outpaced fossil fuel jobs here in Pennsylvania.