HARRISBURG – The state Senate today approved Senate Bill 832, sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) to establish an Independent Energy Office (IEO) within the commonwealth.
“Pennsylvania has one of the most diverse energy portfolios in the United States,” Sen. Yaw said. “There is no question we can capitalize on our state’s energy richness, but first we must stop apologizing for it. I believe an Independent Energy Office can provide impartial, timely and data-driven analysis to guide our state in determining and meeting future energy needs.”
An analysis by the U.S. Energy Information Administration highlights Pennsylvania’s significant role in energy production and distribution:
- The state achieved a record natural gas production of 7.6 trillion cubic feet in 2021, making it the second-largest producer in the nation – primarily from the Marcellus Shale.
- Pennsylvania ranks third in coal production, following Wyoming and West Virginia, and is the second-largest coal exporter to foreign markets.
- In 2021, Pennsylvania stood second in electricity generation from nuclear power, trailing only Illinois.
- More than half of Pennsylvania households rely on natural gas as their primary heating fuel, supported by the state’s 48 underground gas storage sites, the most of any state, which meet regional heating demand in winter.
- Pennsylvania emerges as the second-largest net supplier of total energy to other states, after Texas.
Yaw noted the IEO would be modeled after Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), which was created by Act 120 of 2010 and Act 100 of 2016. The IFO does not support or oppose any policy it analyzes and discloses the methodologies, data sources and assumptions used in published reports and estimates.
Additionally, Senate Bill 832 overhauls the former Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority by replacing its 19-member board with the 11-member board of the Pennsylvania Opportunities with Energy Reliability Authority or POWER.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280