Bill To Buy Renewable Energy

HARRISBURG -- The House Coal Caucus, revived recently in response to perceived threats to the industry from Washington and the state Capitol, could get its first test this week with a bill that would require utilities to buy higher amounts of renewable energy.

The bill's sponsor -- Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York -- is hoping for a House vote on dozens of amendments "soon."

The coal caucus, which includes 68 members, believes the bill is a threat to jobs in Western Pennsylvania. The bill calls for increasing the renewable energy used in Pennsylvania from 8 percent of the total to 15 percent by 2024.

Although amendments are designed to soften opposition from backers of the fossil fuel, Rep. Jeffrey Pyle, R-Ford City, the coal caucus' co-chair, said he doesn't expect to change his mind.