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Monthly Archives: January 2014

Farm Bill Passes House – Energy Title Explained

With passage by the US House of Representatives this morning, the Farm Bill and its energy provisions are a giant step closer to final passage.  The Farm Bill Conference report was approved by the full House in a 251 to 166 vote, over opposition from liberals, who said that food stamp cuts go too far, and conservatives concerned that the legislation failed to further curtail government spending.  The US Senate is expected to follow suit by the end of the week. (The Senate version of the Farm Bill passed last year is close to the final conference report.) 

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Corbett Announces State Energy Plan

On Tuesday, Governor Corbett announced the details of his “Energy = Jobs” plan, which he said would help market the state’s energy sectors to investors and businesses.

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Democrats Talk Energy/Sustainability

The eight announced Democratic candidates for governor in Pennsylvania discussed their positions on a range of energy and sustainability issues at a gubernatorial forum presented by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and four other organizations on January 13. The invited candidates included Gov. Tom Corbett, John Hanger, Jo Ellen Litz, Rob McCord; Katie McGinty, Max Myers, Ed Pawlowski, Allyson Schwartz, and Tom Wolf.

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Obama Signs Omnibus Spending Plan, Impacts to Bioenergy

Last week President Obama signed the omnibus spending bills (H.R. 3547) just days after the bill easily passed the Senate (72-26 vote) and House (359-67).

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2014 – What’s in Store for the General Assembly?

Having held its first sessions of 2014 this week, the General Assembly is hoping to make headway in several major issue and policy areas this year. But one key reality is that from now until November 4, state government officials will have one eye on policies and the other on the impact of decisions on the state’s general election.  Governor Corbett is running for re-election, and at least eight Democrats are competing in the primary to oppose him this fall.  One half of all State Senate seats will be decided, and all 203 State House and 18 Congressional districts will be on the ballot.

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DEP Submits Energy Plan to Governor

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has submitted its Climate Change Action Plan Update to Governor Corbett and the state legislature highlighting efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and outlining possible strategies for continued lowering of emissions.

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Farm Show Energy

“Farm Show weather” came to central PA with a vengeance this year, threatening the grid with excess energy needs from below zero temperatures.  While the state and public utilities were calling for energy conservation outside, inside the complex on North Cameron Street, various forms of energy production and conservation were on display – and in one case, a Farm Show tradition was about to help handle a farm’s electric needs.

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