Session Daze: An offer you shouldn't refuse

 
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         PennFuture Events

Macy's Shop For A Cause
Nationwide and online, August 25

PennFuture's 2012 Annual Clean Energy Conference
Philadelphia, September 13-14

Save the date for this PennFuture workshop: 
A new crop of advocates: Be part of the harvest 
Wilkes-Barre area, October 3

Did you know? 
You can raise money for PennFuture while you
surf and shop the 'net. 
Just go to www.iGive.com
and select Citizens
for Pennsylvania's Future.

An offer you shouldn't refuse 
Great presentations from nationally respected clean energy leaders. Updates on the latest technology and trends in renewable energy. Investors discussing the future of clean energy funding, here and abroad. And ample time and opportunity to rub shoulders and network with clean energy financiers, policy makers, business leaders, and advocates.

You can be part of all this and more at PennFuture's Clean Energy Conference on Thursday and Friday, September 13 and 14 at the Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia. This is really an offer you shouldn't refuse.

But time is running out. The hotel deadline is Monday, and conference registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Soregister for the conference today, and make sure you lock down the conference rate right away by visiting the hotel website or calling 1-800-222-TREE (8733) to make your reservation.

Solar Jobs Bill introduced in Senate 
Sens. David Argall, R-Schuylkill, Ted Erickson, R-Delaware, and John Blake, D-Lackawanna, have introduced a Senate companion to theSolar Jobs Bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Ross, R-Chester, in the House. Senate Bill 1350 has 19 co-sponsors.

The bill would save thousands of solar jobs and stabilize the Pennsylvania solar market by making a modest, temporary, yet vital adjustment to the solar requirements in our Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard law. The change would bring our law into line with the current solar market. GOP Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey recently signed legislation that brings the same stability to the Garden State's solar market.

Rep. Ross's House Bill 1580 has been bottled up in the House Consumer Affairs Committee for nearly 10 months without a vote — even though a majority of the members of the House are co-sponsors of the bill.

U.S. leads the world in cutting global warming pollution 
The level of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere has fallen dramatically in the United States to its lowest levels in 20 years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA). That makes the U.S. the world-wide leader, cutting global warming pollution more than any other country over the last six years.

The growth in renewable energy accounts for some of the decrease, but the biggest reason for the cut in global warming pollution is the switch from coal to natural gas-fired power plants. Coal accounted for 51 percent of all electricity made in 2005, but fell to 34 percent earlier this year.

Gas is now so plentiful and cheap that coal can no longer compete domestically. But we cannot pretend these market forces will always prevail, working to the advantage of clean air. We need more renewable energy and smart policies to move the markets permanently. One of the featured speakers at the PennFuture Clean Energy Conference will discuss this very point. Former U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis, R- South Carolina, has launched a new campaign to explore and promote free market, conservative solutions to U.S. energy needs and climate change. Yet another reason why you should not miss our great conference.

Follow that bear 
Just like Yogi, this bear is smarter than average. But we aren't stealing picinic baskets. We're guarding Pennsylvania's environment and economy.

A Bear in the Woods, PennFuture's relaunched blog, now focuses on environmental law. In the latest posting, PennFuture President and CEO (and papa bear) George Jugovic Jr. discusses what apotential tie vote in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court would mean in the appeal of the Commonwealth Court ruling on the Act 13 drilling law.

Subscribe to the blog online, and you'll be notified every time there's a new post. So follow that bear today.

Make a difference, and get paid for it 
Every PennFuture staff member knows how lucky we all are. We get to take real action to protect Pennsylvania's environment and economy every day – and get paid for it. We go to bed each night knowing we have made a tangible difference for a better world.

You could join us. If you have a passion for, and knowledge of, water issues — and feel at home in central Pennsylvania — you may be the next member of our staff. We are hiring a central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator to work out of our Harrisburg office.

So check out our jobs board for a description of the position and directions on how to apply. Deadline for applying is Sept. 7. Don't wait — it just may be your ticket to ride.

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.