By Christopher J. Hughes chughes@theabingtonjournal.com
Editor’s Note: Green Scene” is a five-part series of The Abington Journal looking locally at energy efficient initiatives. This week, find out more about the role of government in effecting and regulating change.
ABINGTONS – The so-called “Green Revolution” continues to impact the decisions many residents of the Abingtons and locations abroad face. The effect may be magnified as time continues and local, state and federal governments look to revise outdated acts and pass new legislation.
Currently, almost identical bills in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate call for steadfast reports and monitoring of global warming impacts on the state. Senate Bill (SB) 266 and House Bill (HB) 110 also require an inventory of greenhouse gases, voluntary registry of greenhouse gas emissions and a climate change action plan. Senator Bob Mellow (D-Peckville) and Representatives Frank Andrews Shimkus (D-South Abington Twp.) and James Wansacz (D-Scott Twp.) have supported their respective legislation.
Mellow, the Pennsylvania Senate’s highest ranking Democrat, has also introduced a four-bill energy package that would invest more than $71 million in the development of cellulosic fuels. According to www.harvestcleanenergy.org, cellulosic ethanol differs from more conventional ethanol in both the material and processes that create it.
Conventional ethanol uses corn, wheat and soybeans to produce a corn starch that is heated, liquefied and milled for ethanol. Cellulosic ethanol can use switchgrass, saw dust and other plant wastes to create the final product. Additionally, cellulosic fuel does not use fossil fuels or other non-renewable resources to produce heat in the conversion process.
“It seems clear that cellulosic energy is one of the best and brightest alternative energy prospects,” Mellow said. “Apart from the obvious need to cut our dependence on foreign oil, my legislation would create new jobs and greatly improve Pennsylvania’s stake in this budding alternative energy industry. While I am a big proponent of cellulosic energy, I will readily consider other ideas aimed at positioning Pennsylvania to benefit from this promising and emerging green energy industry.”
With the passage of HB 110 in October 2007 and SB 266 in November 2007, the general assembly may not have far to look in establishing proposed climate change action plans. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), a statewide non-profit environmental group, has already devised the Pennsylvania Climate Change Roadmap. The 90-page document includes 38 recommendations under subject heads including energy supply, residential/commercial/industrial and forestry.
Brian Hill, president and CEO of PEC, said that Pennsylvania’s rank in terms of greenhouse gas emissions signals a need for change. “Pennsylvania produces one percent of greenhouse gases worldwide,” he said. “As we continue to emit greenhouse gases, we must act responsibly.”
Hill said that Pennsylvania currently creates 316 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually. The number, without positive change, is expected to reach 335 million by 2010 and 383 million by 2025. “It’s growing. Scientific consensus is that unless we change, we will see great changes across the world and across Pennsylvania.”
Part of the problem in Pennsylvania is suburban sprawl, or development that destroys green space in rural areas. “Sprawl undermines the community, destroys habitats and has a huge effect on climate change,” Hill said.
The Roadmap states that “Pennsylvania can adopt a climate change strategy that puts it at the forefront of state leadership and spurs economic development in the clean technology area…This report can inform that strategy.” Hill recommended that residents contact their state and federal legislators encouraging them to vote for change.
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