HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Governor Edward G. Rendell, has announced a number of strategic initiatives that the commonwealth will immediately make to stimulate the renewable energy sector, reduce energy use, and cut costs.

"Rising energy prices affect every customer, including state government," Governor Rendell said. "We need to make immediate, sweeping adjustments to the way state government operates to counter escalating fuel prices and rising energy prices. The steps I am announcing will reduce our environmental impact by using less energy, and helping to grow our renewable energy sector by purchasing more clean, renewable energy."

He added: "I want all residents to have the tools they need to combat rising energy costs. That's why I have been encouraging the General Assembly for 18 months to pass the Energy Independence Strategy to protect consumers from the financial hardships of higher energy costs."

Standing near The Keystone State's electricity sub-station, Governor Rendell directed Department of General Services Secretary James Creedon to implement across-the-board energy conservation measures, including finding ways to conserve more energy in state-owned buildings, increasing the state's ‘green’ energy purchases, and changing the vehicles the state buys for its fleet.

An extensive energy reduction and conservation initiative in state office buildings that Governor Rendell called for in 2004 has reduced energy consumption by 10% annually.

"My goal is to have the commonwealth reduce its energy consumption by an additional 10% by the end of 2010," the Governor said. "Cutting energy consumption by 20% in just eight years is a very ambitious goal, but one that we can achieve by implementing these initiatives."

Specifically, Governor Rendell has directed DGS to:

ENERGY

Purchase 50% Green Power -- Increase the commonwealth's purchase of green power from the current 30% of all electricity to 50% by mid 2010. The state will increase its purchase of energy from green sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, low-impact hydro-power, and biomass sources – such as methane from landfills, wood, and energy crops.

Green power costs are expected to decline while conventional power rates are expected to increase over the next few years. Pennsylvania already is the largest state purchaser of green power; this initiative will solidify that lead. At 50%, the commonwealth's green power use will exceed 500 million kilowatts (kW); enough electricity to power all the homes in Allentown and Easton (50,000).

Increasing Office Temperatures By One Degree. Starting this month (June), the state will raise office thermostats to 75 degrees in the summer, from 74 degrees. The one degree change will reduce energy use by 5.3 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually.

Convert to Sensor Lighting. Transition lights on manual switches to sensor lighting where economically feasible within the Capitol Complex. Sensor lighting has already been installed in some office upgrade projects. All future projects will incorporate sensors. Light sensors will reduce energy use by about 600 kWh, or $40 per unit annually.

Use Compact Fluorescent Lights. The state annually buys 77,000 incandescent lights. Future state contracts will allow only the purchase of energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs. Replacing all incandescent lighting with fluorescent lighting, once existing incandescent bulbs burn out, will reduce energy use by an estimated 61 million kWh annually; enough to power 6,100 homes.

VEHICLES

Reduce Fuel Use by 5% (367,000 gallons) – By implementing stricter travel controls, such as encouraging carpooling and conference calling, the commonwealth will reduce fuel consumption by  5%, saving 367,000 gallons of fuel annually. For example, the Capitol Police will decrease vehicle patrols and increase foot and bicycle patrols around the Capitol Complex.

Buy Smaller Vehicles -- Downsize the type of new vehicle purchased for the commonwealth fleet to improve fuel efficiency. For example, a Ford Taurus will be replaced by a smaller vehicle, such as a Ford Fusion; a Chevrolet Impala by a Chevrolet Malibu. During a typical year, the state purchases between 125 and 150 vehicles.

Continue Fleet Efficiency Initiatives:

– Downsize Total State Fleet. In 2003, there were 16,715 vehicles; in 2008, there are 16,225 vehicles, a decrease of 490 vehicles.

– Extend Vehicle Use. In 2003, vehicles were turned in for auction at 65,000 miles; in 2008, they are kept in use until after 100,000 miles.

– Increase Use of Hybrids. The state has increased the number of hybrids, from zero in 2003 to 53 in 2008. As long as carrmakers will be able to meet the demand, the state plans to introduce another 50 hybrids into the vehicle fleet next year.

– Reduce SUVs. The commonwealth has reduced SUV use by 30%, or 460 vehicles, from 1,585 in 2003 to 1,125 currently in use today. It also has increased its alternative fuel fleet. In 2003, there were 95 alternative fuel vehicles in the fleet compared to 711 such vehicles in use today.

Making sacrifices

"These initiatives show that the commonwealth is a responsible steward of the taxpayers' money, and that we are working hard and making sacrifices to reduce our spending on energy," Governor Rendell said. "We need to make it easier for our families and businesses to conserve energy and use it more efficiently."

He unveiled the Energy Independence Strategy in February 2007 to protect consumers from rising energy costs, saving Pennsylvania's families and businesses US$10 billion over the next decade. The plan will also capitalise on $850 million in new investments to attract $3.5 billion in alternative and renewable energy projects and reduce Pennsylvania's dependence on foreign oil.

"The legislature has been considering this plan for the past year-and-a-half; the longer we delay, the more difficult it's going to be for consumers to adjust and start saving," he said.

"We need to take steps to reduce our demand for energy to help drive down costs," said the Governor. "That's true today with oil, and because electricity rates will soon skyrocket, it's the case with electricity, too."

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