WILLIAMS TAKES STAND FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

 HARRISBURG, JULY 6 – State Sen. Connie Williams offered her 45 cents today on a proposal that would allow Pennsylvania to invest in renewable energy and give consumers rebates for making strides toward energy efficiency.

 Speaking in favor of passing an energy independence strategy as part of the budget process, Williams called on her colleagues to debate the proposal on its merits and not on its politics.

 "We should listen to the citizens of Pennsylvania and allow our priorities to align with their priorities," Williams said. "This is an investment in our future: the future of our communities; in increasing economic development; creating new jobs for people; reducing the cost of energy; reducing the amount of pollution in the air; and creating a cleaner environment for our children, our grandchildren and our planet."

 A recent statewide poll showed that two out of three Pennsylvanians supported spending 45 cents a month on the Governor's energy plan.

 The proposal is an effort to help consumers in the face of electric rate caps being lifted within the next three years, and addresses consumer dependence on foreign oil. One aspect of the plan calls for the installation of smart meters, which would allow consumers to manage their electric consumption based on the time of day it was used.

 "Providing consumers the tools they need to manage electric usage so that heavier usage occurs after the more expensive peak hours will make electricity cheaper for consumers," Williams said. "Equally important is educating the public about energy efficient appliances and alternative energy. Consumers should be rewarded for going the extra mile to become more energy efficient by using efficient appliances and looking at new ways of powering their homes, such as solar energy. It is good for their budgets and it is good for our environment."

 Williams has again introduced legislation (S.B. 37) that would create a sales tax holiday on some commonly used appliances, including clothes washers, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, freezers, room air conditions, ceiling fans, programmable thermostats and ventilating fans. Under the proposal, consumers would be able to purchase Energy Star appliances during two sales tax-free weeks annually through 2008-09.

 "If we leave here this summer without doing what two out of three Pennsylvanians want us to do, we will deserve the predictable backlash that will come, " Williams said.