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DEP Secretary McGinty Says Green Building Industry, Governor's Energy Independence Strategy Working Toward Similar Goals

Posted on: Friday, 19 October 2007, 15:00 CDT

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During a keynote address last night at Philadelphia's 5th Annual Green Building Celebration, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said Governor Edward G. Rendell's goals of helping consumers conserve energy, reducing pollution, and spurring innovation and economic growth through his Energy Independence Strategy mirror the tenets of the growing "green" building industry.

The Delaware Valley Green Building Council hosted the event for more than 300 members and supporters at Lincoln Financial Field -- the "green" home of the Philadelphia Eagles. The stadium has built a national reputation for its commitment to recycling and renewable energy initiatives.

"Governor Rendell is committed to building a 'new energy economy' -- one that encourages the development of alternative and renewable energy sources, spurs innovation, and promotes conservation and efficiency to save money and protect our environment," said McGinty. "After all, the cleanest and cheapest energy available is that which we don't use, and the green building industry understands that.

"Our state is facing an economic train wreck in less than two-and-a-half years when the caps that have held electricity rates in place for the last decade expire and our families and businesses find double- or triple-digit increases in their monthly bills.

"Under the Governor's Energy Independence Strategy, we'll invest $850 million to expand the development of clean and alternative energy solutions, help consumers cut their energy consumption, and strengthen our national security and economy by reducing our dependence on foreign oil while using more homegrown energy sources.

"That will help everyone save money -- to the tune of $1 billion a year," said McGinty. "It will also help us avoid building costly new generation facilities that pollute the environment and require high-voltage transmission lines that run through our backyards. These lines deliver dirtier power from other states to Pennsylvania, and undermine our achievements and future work to encourage clean energy technologies."

The secretary said $500 million of the $850 Energy Independence Fund will be allocated to support clean energy projects, including the development "high-performance" buildings. Funds may be used for acquisition, renovation and construction.

Pennsylvania has been in the forefront of developing such buildings. It is second only to California in the number of LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certified projects.

"The people who gathered here understand leadership," said McGinty. "Just as the Eagles' organization is leading the way for NFL teams with its wise choices -- from purchasing renewable energy to the using biodiesel derived from the cooking fats used in the team's kitchen -- we intend to demonstrate the value of having more green buildings."

McGinty said America's buildings consume 71 percent of the nation's electricity and generate 36 percent of its carbon dioxide emissions, which is more than any other sector of the U.S. economy, including transportation and industry.

For more information on green buildings, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/, keyword: GGGC. You can click on the "Fueling Energy Savings" icon to learn more about the Energy Independence Strategy.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

CONTACT: Neil Weaver of the Pennsylvania Department of EnvironmentalProtection, +1-717-787-1323

Web Site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

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