Senate Bill 275, protecting consumers’ energy choices, is heading to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk.
The bill, which recently advanced through the House of Representatives, prevents Pennsylvania’s municipalities from banning access to certain utilities, like natural gas. The “fuel neutral” proposal ensures no choice, including renewable energy, is discriminated against, state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford County), who sponsored the bill, said.
The bill responds to cities nationwide banning natural gas in newly constructed buildings.
“This will preserve access to reliable electricity, no matter where residents live and prevent a chaotic patchwork of regulations that ultimately undermine statewide environmental and energy policies,” Yaw said. “It also reaffirms what many local and statewide officials, including the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, already understand to be true: municipalities do not have the authority to restrict energy sources.”
Yaw said protecting energy choices for residents ensures that those who want to pursue “cleaner” energy sources can without penalizing those who do not have that option.
“The record is clear – mandates and bans result in higher costs and slower environmental progress than letting families and businesses make use of the energy resource that best fits their needs,” Kevin Sunday, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry director of government affairs, said. “On behalf of the PA Chamber, we applaud the legislature for keeping up the momentum on this important issue.”