Senator Santarsiero Announces Legislation to Jumpstart New Era of Reliable, Sustainable Energy in Pennsylvania
BUCKS COUNTY – May 8, 2024 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) today introduced legislation to jumpstart a new era of reliable, sustainable energy development in Pennsylvania as part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Energy Plan to protect and create nearly 15,000 energy jobs, lower utility bills for Pennsylvania households, and take real action to address carbon pollution.
Senate Bill 1190, the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) sets new standards for energy generation. Also introduced today is Senate Bill 1191 Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER) sponsored by Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-19), which would establish a Pennsylvania-specific cap-and-invest program that follows the recommendations from the Governor’s RGGI Working Group. Together PRESS and PACER would deliver on Gov. Shapiro’s goals to ensure the Commonwealth’s energy independence for the long term, while also lowering electricity bills, creating new jobs and reducing carbon emissions.
“I have long said that it’s a false premise to say we must choose between creating jobs OR saving our planet,” said Senator Santarsiero. “I applaud Gov. Shapiro for leading the way and bringing together the interests of consumers, labor and the environment to find a solution that works for all of us. To that end, I am proud to introduce legislation to create the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard, the next generation of alternative energy portfolio standards for the Commonwealth.”
PRESS continues all of the successful elements of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) while making it more inclusive—adding nuclear power, next generation technologies like fusion, and clean forms of natural gas for the first time. This revitalized energy standard will deliver outsized economic value, improve the reliability of our electricity grid, and position Pennsylvania as a leader in the energy arena for the next twenty years.
“Right now in our Commonwealth, we must take action to catch up in the race to create clean and reliable energy – to be more competitive, ensure consumers pay less for their electricity bills, and create more jobs and opportunities for our businesses to grow and our workers to get ahead,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “I have made clear that any energy policy supported by my Administration must meet the three-part test of protecting and creating energy jobs, taking real action to address climate change pollution, and ensuring reliable, affordable power for consumers in the long term – and my energy plan is built to do all three. Together with the support of leaders like Senator Santarsiero in the General Assembly, we’re going to ensure Pennsylvania will continue to be a national energy leader for decades to come.”
PRESS raises the target for the cleanest and renewable energy projects in Tier I to 35% by 2035; it raises the target for Tier II to 10%; and it creates a new Tier III that includes important alternative sources or of power like co-blended or low emission natural gas and other step-stone resources with a 5% target by 2035. In addition, PRESS ensures the continuity of our existing clean energy nuclear fleet by creating a mechanism for those facilities to receive support in the event they are threatened with closure.
Specifically, the three-tier structure will be comprised as follows:
Tier I
- Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy, including solar DG.
- Wind power.
- Low-impact hydropower.
- Geothermal energy.
- Advanced reactors.
- Fusion technology
- Coal mine fugitive emissions.
- Biologically derived fugitive emissions.
Tier II (limited to in-state Pennsylvania resources)
- Non-Tier I distributed generation systems.
- Demand-side management.
- Large-scale hydropower.
- Natural gas or coal using clean hydrogen (80%) co-fired blend or equivalent carbon intensity reduction technologies.
- Fuel cells.
- Biomass energy.
- 24-hour storage co-located with a Tier I resource.
- Combined heat and power.
- Tier I reliable energy sources.
Tier III (limited to in-state Pennsylvania resources)
- Natural gas or coal using clean hydrogen (20%) co-fired blend or equivalent carbon intensity reduction technologies.
- Waste coal.
- Municipal solid waste.
- Integrated combined coal gasification technology.
- Generation of electricity utilizing by-products of the pulping process and wood manufacturing process, including bark, wood chips, sawdust and lignin in spent pulping liquors.
- Tier I reliable energy portfolio sources located within PA.
PRESS will unlock a wave of new investment in advanced energy technologies across Pennsylvania. PRESS will make Pennsylvania competitive by incentivizing new development here in the Commonwealth. The positive impact is massive, adding more than $5.1 billion in direct investment in by 2035.
House Bill 2277, introduced by Representative Danielle Friel Otten (D-155) is the House companion bill to SB 1190. House Bill 2275 introduced by Rep. Aerion Abney (D-19) is the House companion bill to SB 1191.
“I look forward to working with Gov. Shapiro and my colleagues in the Senate to enact legislation that saves consumers money on their energy, creates family sustaining jobs and tackles climate change,” Sen. Santarsiero added.
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