Governor Rendell Proclaims ‘Dump the Pump Day,' Promotes Alternate Transportation, Announces Hybrid Investment for Transit

Press Release

Governor Rendell Proclaims ‘Dump the Pump Day,' Promotes Alternate Transportation, Announces Hybrid Investment for Transit

Urges General Assembly to Pass Energy Independence Strategy to Break Dependence on Foreign Oil, Help Pennsylvanians Conserve and Cut Costs

Governor Edward G. Rendell proclaimed today as "Dump the Pump Day," announced the purchase of 14 hybrid public transportation vehicles, and launched a Web site to promote alternate transportation as he continues leading Pennsylvania toward energy independence.

"The only way to secure our energy future is to take steps now that allow Pennsylvania to be more energy efficient and conserve our natural resources," Governor Rendell said. "We cannot reduce our dependence on foreign oil unless we make better use of the alternative transportation options and invest in our own home-grown fuel resources as proposed in the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative.

"Dump the Pump Day reminds consumers to be responsible and make informed transportation decisions as a means to declare their own energy independence," the Governor said. "If the General Assembly acts now, that's exactly what my Energy Independence Strategy will start to do for Pennsylvania families and businesses — allow them to take control of their energy use."

To help protect consumers from rising energy costs, Governor Rendell unveiled the Energy Independence Strategy in February 2007 that would save Pennsylvania families and businesses $10 billion over the next decade. The plan, pending in the state Senate, would leverage $850 million in new investments to attract $3.5 billion in alternative and renewable energy products and reduce Pennsylvania's dependence on foreign oil.

"Energy independence begins at home, and commuters can do their part to help reduce energy consumption and reduce Pennsylvania's dependence on foreign oil by relying more on public transit or carpooling," the Governor said.

"We have to do all that we can to help families and businesses save on energy costs and those savings can't stop with commuting," he said. "Let me remind you that when my Energy Independence Strategy was unveiled 18 months ago, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Pennsylvania was $2.23, diesel was around $2.65 per gallon, and a barrel of crude oil was around $53. Now, motorists are paying $4 per gallon at the pump for gas, almost $5 per gallon for diesel, and crude oil set a new record this week when a barrel of oil was trading near $140.

"Under my Energy Independence Strategy and PennSecurity Fuels Initiative, we can break our dependence on foreign oil and consumers will find it easier to conserve electricity and use it in a more efficient manner," Governor Rendell said.

The Governor again urged the General Assembly to adopt the strategy and send these bills to him for signature:

· H.B. 1202, the Governor's PennSecurity Fuels Initiative, has been awaiting action by the Senate since June. It requires nearly 1 billion gallons of biofuels to be produced and consumed in the commonwealth — an amount equal to what the state will import from the Persian Gulf by 2017.

· Special Session H.B. 1, which was adopted by the House on March 11, will provide funding to develop solar, wind and other advanced energy industries; make it easier for consumers to purchase and install solar panels; continue the state's leadership in energy-efficient green buildings, and helps consumers purchase high-efficiency heating/cooling equipment and appliances.

· H.B. 2200 was passed by the House on Feb. 12 and will help consumers save on their energy bills by conserving electricity and using it more efficiently. Once fully implemented, H.B. 2200 will save consumers $1.3 billion by 2012 on their energy bills through conservation and bringing down the cost of electricity during peak load times — when demand is highest and electricity is most expensive.

· House Bill 2201, which is awaiting a vote in both chambers, will require utilities to provide service to customers at the lowest reasonable rate. The bill will require utility service providers to procure power through a mix of short- and long-term contracts and spot market purchases, and obligate the Public Utility Commission to ensure that the procurement process is free of fraud, collusion or market manipulation.

To help commuters make smart transportation decisions, Governor Rendell unveiled a new PennDOT Web page where residents can explore transit options, carpooling and park and ride locations across the state. The page is found under the "Dump the Pump" link at: www.dot.state.pa.us.

The Governor also announced that he directed the Office of Administration to develop an incentive program to encourage state employees to use public transit and related options.

To help expand public transit's use of cleaner, more efficient vehicles, Governor Rendell announced the investment of $2 million to help fund the purchase of 14 hybrid transit vehicles that will be used in rural and small urban areas. Ten hybrid para-transit buses will expand Rabbittransit's shared-ride program in York County. Four other regions will each receive one standard size hybrid bus: the Area Transportation Authority of North Central Pennsylvania, the Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority, the Luzerne County Transportation Authority and the Westmoreland County Transit Authority. The buses will be delivered in 2009.

Pennsylvania's investment was matched by a federal grant allowing $4 million to help transit agencies offset the cost of the hybrid buses which get 40 to 50 percent better gas mileage than their non-hybrid counterparts and reduce pollution emissions by 30 to 40 percent.

"These hybrid buses are an investment in our public transportation system to help Pennsylvanians make smart choices when it comes to traveling," the Governor said. "As we support Dump the Pump Day, I again urge the General Assembly to enact my Energy Independence Strategy.

"We must act now if we're going to succeed in creating an energy independent and environmentally friendly Pennsylvania that will create opportunities for our children and grandchildren while reducing our reliance on foreign energy sources."

The alternate transportation resources are online under the "Dump the Pump" link at www.dot.state.pa.us. For more information on the Energy Independence Strategy, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us and click on the "Fueling Energy Savings" icon.

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