The Pennsylvania House Energy Committee voted three bills out of committee that will, if passed, expand energy generation and improve grid efficiency.
The bills–H.B. 2076, Geothermal Energy Development; H.B. 2223, Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs); and H.B. 2347, PEDA Modernization–now move on to the full House for a vote. The bills came to a committee vote following a series of public hearings and informational meetings in regard to the state’s surging energy needs. State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, (D-Philadelphia), chair of the committee called for a vote on April 13.
“Pennsylvania is facing a serious energy crisis as rising demand drives up energy costs for the people back home in our districts: working people, seniors, families and small businesses,” Fiedler said. “I’m pleased to see H.B. 2223 and H.B. 2347 advance to the House chamber because these bills are win-win-wins, which would unlock our electric grid’s capacity, build out new, renewable generation resources, and keep costs manageable for everyday people.”
H.B. 2076, sponsored by Reps. Arvind Venkat (D-Allegheny) and Craig Williams (R-Chester) passed with bipartisan approval with a vote of 15 to 11. The bill will establish a regulatory framework for geothermal resource production, which could supply millions of homes and businesses with locally sourced, endlessly renewable energy. Pennsylvania lacks a regulatory structure for geothermal energy production which drives investment into pilot projects, officials said. At a public hearing in March, testifiers said the bill is critical in maintaining the state’s competitive edge for public and private investment into geothermal development.
“We all agree that we need more energy production in Pennsylvania,” Venkat said. “Geothermal energy is a new and important way to add clean, base load energy to our grid.”
H.B. 2223 and 2347 would also address energy sector needs. H.B 2223 enhances the performance of the electric grid by accelerating adoption of advanced transmission technologies, and passed with bipartisan support. H.B. 2347 modernizes the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority’s scope and structure to address PA’s urgent energy development needs. Additionally, the bill changes the authority’s name to the Pennsylvania Energy Financing Authority.