NEWS RELEASE   STATE SENATOR RAY MUSTO

“The economic and environmental opportunities that this legislation promises will pave the way for Pennsylvania to meet the energy demands of the future, as well as make our environment healthier and cleaner,”

MUSTO SHOWS SUPPORT FOR THE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PORTFOLIO STANDARDS ACT

WASHINGTON, December 8, 2004 – State Sen. Ray Musto (D-Pittston) showed his support for cleaner, alternative energy sources by joining Gov. Ed Rendell at the signing of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act yesterday.

"This legislation represents a huge leap forward in the use and development of renewable and alternative energy in Pennsylvania,” Musto said. “With the enactment of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, we will be making progress in our efforts to preserve Pennsylvania's natural resources, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and improve air quality."  

This landmark legislation, which is a two-tiered portfolio standard, will ensure that in 15 years, 18 percent of all of the energy generated in Pennsylvania will come from clean, efficient sources. With the signing of this legislation, Pennsylvania becomes the 18^th state to adopt a renewable and advanced energy production provision. 

“The economic and environmental opportunities that this legislation promises will pave the way for Pennsylvania to meet the energy demands of the future, as well as make our environment healthier and cleaner,” Musto said.

The legislation was signed at the Champion Processing waste coal pile, along Route 980 in Robinson Township, Washington County.  The pile is home to 380 million tons of waste coal, the largest waste coal deposit east of the Mississippi River.

The waste coal pile is part of the Robinson Power Co. LLC’s Beech Hollow Power Project, a 300-megawatt waste coal electric generation plant being developed in Robinson Township.  Over the 25-year lifespan of the project, the plant will generate $2.1 billion of revenue in power sales and provide $150 million in direct compensation to Pennsylvania employees. Environmentally, the project will recycle the discarded energy in the waste coal pile while helping to reclaim the Robinson Township site and others for economic development.