[Cool_Pennsylvania_Partners] Pennsylvania Senate Passes Historic Global Warming Bill

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[Cool_Pennsylvania_Partners] Pennsylvania Senate Passes Historic Global Warming Bill

By admin ⋅ November 20, 2007 ⋅

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Tags: clean energy, EIS, global warming

PennFuture hails Pennsylvania Senate passage of

historic global warming bill by 47-3

Harrisburg, PA (November 20, 2007) – Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) today heralded the Pennsylvania Senate for overwhelmingly passing the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act (SB 266), by a margin of 47-3.

“This bipartisan outpouring of support shows the seriousness of our climate problem, and the determination of our elected officials to face it squarely,” said John Hanger, PennFuture’s President and CEO. “They understand that global warming poses a threat to our economy and our future if we don’t take action, and they also understand that solving the problem will help grow the green economy and create new jobs.”

The bill, sponsored by Senator Ted Erickson (R-Chester, Delaware) is virtually identical to the bill passed last month by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

PennFuture salutes Senator Erickson for his tremendous leadership and public service on the critical issue of global warming. “We expect the Senate and the House to swiftly iron out the small differences in the two bills, and to move it to final passage and the governor’s signature,” said Hanger.

The Climate Change Act will require Pennsylvania to conduct an inventory of the sources and amounts of global warming pollution, set up a registry that will allow businesses and industries to track their emissions and get credit when they reduce their pollution, create a stakeholder group to advise the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) about the implementation of the Act and charge DEP with developing a state plan to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gasses.

Pennsylvania emits one percent of the world’s global warming pollution, more than the emissions of 105 developing countries combined. While Pennsylvania is a big contributor to global warming, it has opportunities to be a big part of the solution.

“With the Senate passage, Pennsylvania is one step closer to becoming a leader in reducing global warming pollution and making the transition to a clean energy future,” continued Hanger. “The actions in this legislation, combined with passage of the Energy Independence Strategy, will make Pennsylvania a leader in the 21st Century clean energy economy.”

From Cool_Pennsylvania_Partners-owner@yahoogroups.com

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