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Fred Keller on Energy & Oil |
When it comes to natural gas, Fred has been a longtime proponent of the fuel's environmental and economic benefits. He was an outspoken supporter for both the Sunbury Pipeline project and the new natural gas-fueled power plant in Shamokin Dam-Hummel Station.
Fred is also a staunch supporter of Pennsylvania's impact fee, which has brought in $1.4 billion in fees (taxes) from 2011 through 2017. The impact fee is charged on natural gas extracted, and it's used to address local impacts across the Commonwealth as well as support environmental grants.
Legislative text replaced: Reasonably-priced reliable sources including coal-fired electric generation power plants strengthen are vital to public interest. The premature deactivation or retirement of coal-fired electric generation, due to EPA regulations, negatively affects our economy, environment, and electric reliability.
OnTheIssues Analysis: This legislation slows green energy implementation. However, the previous law had strong pro-coal language, which the new version removes. On balance, we consider this bill a step backward from green energy.
Legislative Outcome: Rep. Keller voted YEA; passed House 144-59-0 on July 1; passed Senate 31-17-2 on Oct. 15; signed by Gov. Tom Corbett on Oct. 22
Congressional Summary:This bill requires the Department of Energy to award grants to assist rural electric cooperatives with identifying, evaluating, and designing energy storage and microgrid projects that rely on renewable energy. (A microgrid is a group of interconnected energy resources that acts as a single controllable entity and that can disconnect from the grid to operate in island mode.)
SciPol statement in support: HR4447 would establish a microgrid grant and technical assistance program for rural electric cooperatives. Rural electric cooperatives are non-profit consumer-owned electric cooperatives that came into being in the 1930s to serve the needs of rural areas otherwise ignored by investor-owned (for-profit) utilities. Most rural electric power is still provided by rural electric co-ops.
Trump's Statement of Administration Policy (against): HR 4447 would implement a top-down approach that undermines the Administration's deregulatory agenda. HR 4447 would lead to higher energy costs and discourage innovation. It would create a "green bank" that would subsidize projects similar to wellknown failures like Solyndra. Finally, HR 4447 would interfere with our own energy destiny free from the reins of the Paris Climate Accord and international organizations that ignore the clear lessons that have led to American energy independence.
Common Dreams (against): Over 100 groups--including major environmental, climate and progressive organizations--oppose HR 4447. The heaviest burdens of the climate crisis fall on low-income communities and communities of color. "We applaud the environmental justice measures in this bill, but cannot support legislation that extends our country's reliance upon fossil fuels," said the Executive Director of the Progressive Democrats of America.
Legislative outcome: Passed House 220-185-24, Roll #206 on Sep. 24, 2020.
Project Vote Smart inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Energy and Environment: Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)?' PVS self-description: "The Political Courage Test provides voters with positions on key issues. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads."