Listen to the story HERE By Danielle Smith September 26, 2022 Renewable energy has the possibility to boost the economy and benefit workers and the environment in the Keystone State. That was the message at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum that just wrapped up in Pittsburgh. Clean energy will be essential to improving air quality and health, reducing the state’s carbon […]
The number of Pennsylvania residents who have already installed solar power at their homes or businesses is now close to 15,000. (Diyanadimitrova/Adobe Stock)
Renewable energy has the possibility to boost the economy and benefit workers and the environment in the Keystone State. That was the message at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum that just wrapped up in Pittsburgh.
Clean energy will be essential to improving air quality and health, reducing the state’s carbon footprint and fighting climate change, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Pittsburgh City Council member Erika Strassburger said the transition to cleaner energy sources also means more energy workforce opportunities.
“We know that there are already jobs to be had, and jobs that have been created in truly clean energy production,” said Strassburger, “whether it’s wind power, solar power, geothermal, hydroelectric – and even increasing the energy efficiency of vehicles and of buildings, and retrofitting homes and buildings.”
If it passes, the ‘PA Local Solar’ program would give electric customers the chance to get their power from solar sources instead of a mix of energy types.
The Inflation Reduction Act includes a historic investment of $370 billion to fight climate change over the next decade. Strassburger said that can’t help but change the economic landscape for Pennsylvania, to implement renewable energy and improve energy efficiency.
“I am incredibly enthusiastic about the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Strassburger, “the funds that are attached to that, and some of the mandates that are attached to that as well, and the commitments. It’s really going to, I think, make a difference at the state and where I serve, at the local level.”
She added that there’s a lot of discussion about hydrogen production, and in particular, blue hydrogen, which requires carbon capture and storage to be viable and climate neutral.
The 2021 infrastructure bill also includes $8 billion to create Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs around the country. Some business groups are hoping to win a bid to build one of those hubs in Pennsylvania.
Helpful science tips in playful videos that explain principles we all deal with to understand our climate crisis. The series is the creation of Olivia Baaten.