Get That Man a Dictionary
No new taxes. What is about that phrase that Governor Ed Rendell doesn't understand?
He wants to impose a "modest charge" on electric bills to start an Energy Independence Fund – an $850 million pot of money that would be used as incentives for businesses and consumers to use alternative energy sources.
First, what's the difference between a "tax" and a "charge?" No difference. And with rate caps coming off in a couple of years, do we really need another tax – Sorry – "charge" – added to our electric bills? I know that when the caps came off in the Pittsburgh area and in Maryland the result wasn't nearly as catastrophic as people had predicted, but are we willing to take that chance again?
Second, I'm all for alternative energy but let's be realistic here.
How many people in the northern part of the state are going to be able to benefit from solar energy? I'm sure Mike Cejka would tell you we have many more cloudy days than sunny days in this part of the state.
Maybe someone should remind the governor that Pennsylvania is one of the most coal-rich states in the country. Perhaps, given that fact, we should be investing in clean-coal technology before spending millions of dollars on developing new sources of energy.
And what's one of Pennsylvania's most abundant natural resources? Wood. Why not further invest in developing energy from wood chips and other "waste" products from the timber and farming industries?
The governor is also talking about rebates for people who buy new, energy-efficient appliances. Go spend $3,000 on a new refrigerator, washing machine, dryer and air conditioner and you'll get $300 back from the state. Gee thanks, Ed.
I have to agree with Senator Mary Jo White of Venango County who said she's all for alternative and renewable energy sources – and for Pennsylvania trying to be energy independent – but not at the expense of the already overtaxed residents of the Commonwealth.
He wants to impose a "modest charge" on electric bills to start an Energy Independence Fund – an $850 million pot of money that would be used as incentives for businesses and consumers to use alternative energy sources.
First, what's the difference between a "tax" and a "charge?" No difference. And with rate caps coming off in a couple of years, do we really need another tax – Sorry – "charge" – added to our electric bills? I know that when the caps came off in the Pittsburgh area and in Maryland the result wasn't nearly as catastrophic as people had predicted, but are we willing to take that chance again?
Second, I'm all for alternative energy but let's be realistic here.
How many people in the northern part of the state are going to be able to benefit from solar energy? I'm sure Mike Cejka would tell you we have many more cloudy days than sunny days in this part of the state.
Maybe someone should remind the governor that Pennsylvania is one of the most coal-rich states in the country. Perhaps, given that fact, we should be investing in clean-coal technology before spending millions of dollars on developing new sources of energy.
And what's one of Pennsylvania's most abundant natural resources? Wood. Why not further invest in developing energy from wood chips and other "waste" products from the timber and farming industries?
The governor is also talking about rebates for people who buy new, energy-efficient appliances. Go spend $3,000 on a new refrigerator, washing machine, dryer and air conditioner and you'll get $300 back from the state. Gee thanks, Ed.
I have to agree with Senator Mary Jo White of Venango County who said she's all for alternative and renewable energy sources – and for Pennsylvania trying to be energy independent – but not at the expense of the already overtaxed residents of the Commonwealth.
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