Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro is gaining traction with his new energy agenda, boasting plans for job creation and a move towards sustainability. In a recent op-ed for PennLive, Mark Schneider, East Region President of Cordia, lauded Shapiro's initiative that has set the stage to make Pennsylvania a major player in renewable energy.
The plan, praised for its potential to create 15,000 jobs and slash utility bills across the state, outlines an extensive approach to tackle carbon pollution. During a visit to Cordia Energy's Harrisburg facilities, Shapiro underscored the necessity for transition, as Cordia's plant has evolved its energy sources from coal to oil, to natural gas and now, possibly towards geothermal energy, and while Pennsylvania's energy story has always been one of gradual shifts, this new plan signals a rapid metamorphosis with help from federal funds, in particular the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) dollars which require states to be proactive and prepared to receive.
According to Schneider's piece in PennLive, the proposed Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER) could see Pennsylvania investing upwards of $5.1 billion in infrastructure upgrades, on top of fostering new technology—all while saving residents a staggering $252 million in the initial five years.
Cordia's proactive stance includes their engagement in a geothermal feasibility study, which, if feasible, could position Harrisburg's energy system as one of the greenest nationwide; however, the success of this endeavor is contingent on the PACER act and the flow of IRA funds to enable these transformative projects. Schneider wrote that Governor Shapiro's "cap and invest" strategy is pivotal for the clean energy sector's progress because it catalyzes investments with unprecedented speed given the immediate availability of federal financial support.
With the Governor's plan in motion and Cordia ready to play a major role, Schneider envisions a future where infrastructure investments soar, more jobs emerge, and Pennsylvanians enjoy affordable, reliable, and clean energy. Underlining the importance of public-private partnerships in these advancements, Schneider believes the pathway forward is clear—streamlined access to federal money will be essential to ushering in true energy autonomy for the Keystone State.
