Penn Future Session Daze: Feb. 12, 2010

Even without the snow, we're feeling like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day?
Mere weeks after the final parts of this year's budget were completed, Governor Rendell kicked off the 2010-11 budget debate by presenting his annual budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly. PennFuture was pleased to see the Governor renew his call for natural gas severance tax by stating, "Once again, it's simply not fair that big tobacco and big oil and gas are exempt from the obligations that the rest of us have to bear."

PennFuture urges budget makers to pass the severance tax without delay, and to dedicate a portion of the severance tax to environmental and conservation programs, local communities bearing the burdens of the drilling, and our state wildlife management agencies. By the way, a severance tax is a better way to capture revenue from the lucrative Marcellus Shale gas than further leasing of state forest land.

Rendell highlights Clean Energy/Green Jobs bills
Governor Rendell aggressively pushed the Clean Energy/Green Jobs bills during PennFuture's recent Clean Energy Breakfast in Media, so we were not surprised that the legislation got a big shout-out from the big cheese [steak] during the budget address.

Rendell noted that Pennsylvania ranked second in the nation for growth in wind power in the second and third quarters of 2009. He said that by December, Pennsylvania will be among the top five states generating solar power, and that we are now home to more than 300 companies making components for the solar industry. The Pew Center on the States ranks the Commonwealth third behind California and Texas in green job creation.

Upping our game
Our Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) law passed in 2004 is the key factor in Pennsylvania's rise as a clean energy powerhouse. But many states, as Rendell noted, now have stronger, more ambitious renewable energy laws. Pennsylvania must up its game to keep running with the big dogs in the race for clean energy and clean energy jobs.

A new Black&Veatch study released last week shows that passing House Bill 80 or Senate Bill 92 will would create substantially more jobs than meeting our energy needs with fossil fuels (129,000 more job-years over a 14 year period) and would also generate $26 billion in economic output, and $5.5 billion in earnings. At the same time, it would save consumers between $1.9 billion and $4.6 billion on their electricity bills by increasing the supply of energy.

Have your eggs solar side up with PennFuture
PennFuture's first round of Clean Energy Breakfasts was a great success, attracting over 500 business and community leaders and scores of enthusiastic green businesses wanting to share their stories, their successes and their desire to expand.

So now our determined President & CEO Jan Jarrett is hitting the road again for three more breakfasts in Williamsport, Lancaster and York, and we hope you can join us. Business leaders, public officials and PennFuture staff will discuss how the Clean Energy/Green Jobs Bills expand on our successful 2004 renewable energy standard. The breakfast speakers will show that the legislation will significantly grow the clean energy sector, create green jobs, and attract new investment into the Commonwealth.

Space at the breakfasts is limited, and preregistration is required. Here is the schedule:

• Williamsport - Wednesday, February 24
• Lancaster - Tuesday, March 2
• York - Wednesday, March 3

All breakfasts run from 8 to 10 a.m.

Podcast of the Week: A great substitute
Our podcast has been snowbound this week, dialing around the TV while waiting for the Godot-like snow plows. Of course, the global warming deniers were in full swing, claiming this week's snowstorms were proof positive that climate change doesn't exist. Acting in full Foghorn Leghorn mode ("Don't bother me with the facts, son."), the talking heads and their legislative counterparts showed exactly how simplistic and flaccid their arguments are.

But this week's podcast substitute, Rachel Maddow, gives the definitive answer to their flat earth arguments. Enjoy this clip, which brings commonsense back to the airways.

PennFuture's Session Daze is designed to be a brief, informative and occasionally humorous look at public policy in Pennsylvania. Please visit our website for more information about PennFuture.