HARRISBURG, PA — A recent public hearing at the state Capitol cast a spotlight on House Bill 501 (H.B. 501), known as the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS), a proposed legislative shift aimed at modernizing the state’s energy portfolio. The state House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee convened the hearing on Monday, May 19, to discuss the bill’s potential to transform Pennsylvania’s energy landscape, create jobs, bolster grid reliability, and position the state as a leader in clean energy.
The PRESS initiative, part of Governor Josh Shapiro’s broader Lightning Plan for energy independence, seeks to replace the state’s existing Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS). PRESS would expand renewable energy sources, incentivize energy storage, and ensure that Pennsylvania maintains its competitive edge as a major energy exporter.
Committee Chair Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware, opened the discussion by stressing the urgent need to update the state’s energy policies. “We are well beyond the time to update our energy standards. Pennsylvania lags behind the rest of the country with only 4% of our energy portfolio coming from renewable sources,” Vitali said. “The goal of PRESS is to increase energy diversity and increase clean energy… This is the moment to act with PRESS and the governor’s Lightning Plan to strengthen our energy grid, reduce the impact of fossil fuels, and make Pennsylvania an energy leader while protecting our natural environment.”
Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, the bill’s prime sponsor, highlighted PRESS’s importance amid rising energy demands. “We’re seeing record increases in demand for energy. When demand increases dramatically but supply does not keep up, what we see are prices increasing for consumers,” Otten explained. “Our task is to increase reliable energy on the grid. And as we do that, we have a responsibility to ensure that a portion of the new resources coming onto the grid are not only reliable but also clean, reducing emissions and mitigating climate change impacts.”
Several stakeholders, representing a range of industries and interests, voiced their perspectives during the hearing. Evan Vaughn from the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition praised the bill’s approach to fostering clean energy investments. “MAREC Action and our member companies in the large-scale clean energy industry welcome the introduction of this legislation and stand ready to invest and create clean energy jobs in the commonwealth,” Vaughn said, emphasizing that PRESS’s incentives and siting requirements would make Pennsylvania a more attractive market for new energy projects.
Patrick McDonnell of PennFuture spoke to the affordability and sustainability PRESS aims to deliver. “PennFuture strongly supports PRESS because it offers a transformative approach to energy generation,” McDonnell said. “House Bill 501 represents a comprehensive approach to modernizing Pennsylvania’s energy landscape… promoting environmental stewardship while enhancing affordability for residents.”
John F. Kotek from the Nuclear Energy Institute highlighted the bill’s inclusion of advanced nuclear technology. “House Bill 501 is notable for taking strong action to create a program for nuclear energy that will secure the long-term operation of Pennsylvania’s valuable power stations,” Kotek stated. He underscored that nuclear resources, including small modular reactors, could significantly reduce emissions while ensuring energy reliability.
Labor concerns also surfaced during the hearing. Robert Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building Trades, supported the governor’s efforts to stimulate energy discussions but encouraged safeguards for Pennsylvania jobs. “While we may have concerns with certain proposals…we are very supportive of Gov. Shapiro’s efforts to stimulate a serious discussion on energy policy with an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach,” Bair said, advocating for balanced recommendations to strengthen the bill.
The hearing underscored broad agreement on the need to modernize Pennsylvania’s energy policies, though stakeholders expressed differing priorities in achieving that goal. Rep. Vitali noted that H.B. 501 is expected to move closer to a vote as the committee continues its discussions in the coming weeks.
PRESS represents a pivotal opportunity to reshape the state’s energy future while tackling pressing environmental, economic, and grid reliability challenges. With stakeholders prepared to refine and implement its framework, Pennsylvania could soon find itself at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation.
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