PITTSBURGH (Map) - Says Additional Investment Through Proposed Energy Independence Strategy Needed to Continue Economic Growth

PITTSBURGH, March 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following continued job losses in America's manufacturing industry and the warning signs of a national economic slowdown, Governor Edward G. Rendell today cited Pennsylvania's track record of investing in green technologies and renewable energy solutions to help revitalize the economy and create new jobs.

"America's economy is facing pressure today from job losses, international competition, mounting national debt, and a declining dollar," Governor Rendell said during closing keynote remarks at the Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference. "When you factor into that the rising costs of energy, the deck is stacked against us. Higher prices for electricity and fuels are pinching the pockets of our families, giving them less discretionary income, and threatening the bottom lines of our businesses, while also pushing up the costs of goods and finished products.

"We can relieve these pressures by investing in clean and green energy efficiency and production technologies. And, in doing so, we can help put our people back to work -- especially in the manufacturing industry that has been so decimated by the outsourcing of jobs to overseas firms."

"Pennsylvania has been able to weather this slowdown because we've made the necessary investments in our economy over the last five years," said the Governor. "We've invested in our infrastructure, helped train our workforce to meet 21st century demands, supported innovation and business expansion projects, and we've leveraged our resources to attract private sector development in the rapidly growing renewable energy industry.

"This formula has worked. Since 2003, we've helped create 3,000 new jobs in the alternative and renewable energy sectors -- many of which are good-paying, skilled manufacturing positions -- and $1 billion in private investment. Furthermore, our state's unemployment rate has been below the national average in each of the last 13 consecutive months."

In 2004, Pennsylvania passed one of the nation's most aggressive alternative energy portfolio standards laws, creating new markets for electricity generated from alternative and renewable sources. Under the law, 18 percent of all retail electricity sold in Pennsylvania by 2021 must be from clean and renewable resources.

Since enacting that law, the Governor said, Pennsylvania has become a top destination for renewable and advanced energy companies. He pointed to world-leading firms like Gamesa, Conergy, Iberdrola, Solar Power Industries and General Electric that have all established operations in Pennsylvania, and growing advanced energy firms like Axion Power International, Plextronics and AE Polysilicon that are building upon their respective innovations and creating new jobs.

Pennsylvania is also a leader in green buildings. The commonwealth is second only to California in total number of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified buildings with 93 in the state according to the U.S. Green Building Council. Pittsburgh is home to several LEED certification "firsts" -- including the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, which was the world's first LEED-certified convention center, and the nation's first LEED-certified visitor center at the Phipps Conservatory.

Governor Rendell added the state is leading by example when it comes to being green.

"Since 2003, we've become better stewards of the state's resources by using energy more wisely," said the Governor. "We're eliminating gas-guzzling SUVs from the state's fleet and purchasing more fuel efficient hybrid vehicles. We own or lease eight LEED-certified buildings and are taking other measures to reduce the amount of energy it takes to power, heat and cool our buildings. Additionally, we've been recognized as the leading state purchaser of renewable energy -- nearly 30 percent of all of the electricity we consume as a state government comes from renewables."

Governor Rendell concluded by noting that if Pennsylvania is to continue creating new employment opportunities in the advanced energy sectors -- in manufacturing, research and development, operations and maintenance, transportation and construction positions -- it needs the additional investment he has repeatedly called for in through the Energy Independence Strategy. Without it, Pennsylvania will lose out on the potential for creating tens of thousands of jobs.

Earlier this week, the Governor praised the House of Representatives for approving Special Session House Bill 1, which would invest $850 million in wind and solar projects, rebates for consumers buying energy efficient appliances, clean-tech start up companies, high performance energy efficient buildings, and demand side management projects.

He urged the Senate to act swiftly and pass the bill.

For more information on the Energy Independence Strategy, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, and click on the "Fueling Energy Savings" icon.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT: Chuck Ardo 717-783-1116

Neil Weaver (DEP) 717-787-1323