Pennsylvania House committee advances bill to ensure energy choice

The Pennsylvania House Local Government Committee approved legislation today that prevents municipalities in the state from banning access to certain utilities and energy sources.

Senate Bill 275, sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), seeks to ensure that no energy choice for consumers, including natural gas and renewable energy, is discriminated against.

“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 pointed out that cities across the nation have taken steps to ban natural gas in newly constructed buildings.

“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, director of government affairs for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, said. “On behalf of the PA Chamber, we applaud the legislature for keeping up the momentum on this important issue.”

The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

“Protecting energy choices for consumers means that residents can pursue ‘cleaner’ electricity sources if they want to or can afford to, without punishing those who don’t have the option,” Yaw said.