A Note from Repower Pennsylvania

From yesterday's inbox:

The Climate Protection Action Fund’s Repower Pennsylvania today issued the following statement on the Senate introducing the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act:

“By passing comprehensive clean energy and climate policies we’ll put America back in control of our economic and security future, make our nation more energy independent and create millions of new jobs by harnessing clean energy sources that are made in Pennsylvania,” said State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York. “Our dependence on foreign oil hurts our economy, aids our enemies and puts our national security at risk. The big oil companies, their lobbyists and their front groups spend millions to protect their record profits and maintain the status quo, but Pennsylvania knows it’s time for change.”

A Zogby International poll released in August showed that a majority of American voters — 71 percent — strongly support House-passed clean energy and climate legislation, citing the job growth that would result from enacting new clean energy policies.

“Today’s action in the U.S. Senate is critical progress,” said Repower Pennsylvania State Director Michael Fedor. “New clean energy and climate policies will put America back in control of our economic and security future, make us more energy independent and create thousands of new jobs for Pennsylvania.”

Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation in clean energy jobs with 38,700, fifth in clean energy businesses with nearly 3,000 according to a study by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

According to the Center for American Progress, transitioning to a clean energy economy will create more than 70,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. And a recent report by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that comprehensive clean energy and climate policies can save Pennsylvania households $1,120 a year by 2030. Further, Pennsylvania’s wind energy resources could power more than 1 million homes according to the American Wind Energy Association.