Pennsylvania Doubles Green Electricity Purchase
Coal-rich Pennsylvania has redoubled its green electricity purchase to 20% from 10%, Governor Edward Rendell announced today.
“By leading the way to clean, renewable sources of energy produced from indigenous resources, Pennsylvania is providing solutions to some of our nations most compelling problems,” Rendell said, “creating reliable sources of affordable energy; cleaning our air and waterways and cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions; improving our homeland security; and putting thousands of our citizens to work in family-supporting jobs.”
By modifying its existing contract with Community Energy Inc., Pennsylvania will purchase 200,000 megawatt hours a year, or 20% of state governments electricity, from renewable sources such as wind and hydroelectric energy, all at a premium rate of only 0.34 cents per kilowatt hour.
The contract calls for electricity that is generated 40% from wind power and 60% from hydroelectric sources. Both produce electricity with zero emissions of air pollution.
The enhanced purchase makes Pennsylvania the largest state purchaser of green electricity and ranks Pennsylvania number 12 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Top 25 Green Power Partners list.
“Pennsylvania is taking the initiative to develop an energy management plan that will help to save taxpayers money,”said Department of General Services Secretary James Creedon, who serves as co-chairman of the Governors Green Government Council.
“By increasing our investment in green power,” said Creedom, “we can broaden the market for clean energy providers and work to reduce energy costs for the commonwealth, rather than increasing our reliance on traditional energy sources and narrowing our options for competitive rates.”
“Pennsylvanias leadership on energy is unmatched,” said Community Energy CEO Brent Alderfer. “The latest purchase of clean energy continues to drive progress and sets the benchmark for other states. Pennsylvanias commitment to action points the way to a secure, clean energy future nationally.”
The 200,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy represent avoided emissions of 951 tons of sulfur dioxide, 271 tons of nitrogen oxide and 123,410 tons of carbon dioxide. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide contribute to acid rain, fine particulate pollution and regional haze, and nitrogen oxide is also a key component of smog. Carbon dioxide is the most pervasive greenhouse gas linked to climate change.
Provided by the Environmental News Service.