PA Senate approves $650 Million Alternative Energy Bill

from Wilkes-Barre (PA) timesleader.com

On its last day of business for 2007, the state Senate approved a compromise energy bill to spend $650 million on alternative energy and conservation.

The vote was 44-5.

Included in the bill is rebates, grants, loans and tax credits for everything from the installation of energy efficient windows to the construction of wind turbines and power plants that burn waste fuels.

The bill increases rebates for buyers of hybrid gas-electric vehicles and assistance for poor families who need help paying their utility bills.

It still needs approval from the House of Representatives. Gov. Ed Rendell says it's not enough money to make Pennsylvania competitive with other states that are trying to attract the booming alternative energy industry.