In a letter to state House lawmakers this week, the PA Chamber and a coalition of 11 other business groups expressed ongoing concerns with proposed legislation (H.B. 80) that would expand alternative energy mandates.

The groups questioned why lawmakers would want to go down the path of adding to the cost of energy at a time when the economy remains vulnerable, unemployment remains high and job creation is stagnant.

House Bill 80 would expand original mandates for alternative energy contained in the 2004 Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, even though those mandates have not yet been implemented and the effect of that action is not known.

Estimates are that the additional mandates could add as much as $9 billion to $12 billion to the cost of electricity purchases in future years at a time when job creators and residents can least afford it. This would equate to at least a 10 percent to 13 percent increase in electric rates at a time when rate caps are coming off for many consumers.

The Office of Small Business Advocate has said that H.B. 80 "would increase default service electric rates for small business ratepayers, at least in the near term."

And the Public Utility Commission does not recommend changes to the 2004 AEPS Act.

PA Chamber members are urging lawmakers to vote "no" on H.B. 80, which is currently on the House voting calendar.

In addition to the PA Chamber, the letter was signed by the Pennsylvania Coal Association; Industrial Energy Consumers of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council; Electric Power Generation Association; Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association; Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association; National Federation of Independent Business; Manufacturer and Business Association and the Pennsylvania Business Council.

To read the letter, click here.