Energy Choice Legislation Passes Senate with Broad Bipartisan Support

A PA Chamber-supported bill reaffirming that local governments may not prohibit utility and energy service to businesses and residents passed the state Senate with broad bipartisan support last week.

Senate Bill 143 makes clear that energy policy is the prerogative of state government and municipalities may not unduly interfere with residents’ and employers’ ability to make use of the energy choice that best serves their needs.

The PA Chamber strongly supports this legislation and sent several memos to Senate lawmakers over the course of the past few weeks urging their “yes” vote on the measure as the bill moved through the legislative process. When the bill cleared committee, a press release issued by committee chairman Sen. Gene Yaw quoted PA Chamber President Luke Bernstein as saying “Pennsylvania has led this nation through every major energy transition in the past 150 years, and we are poised to continue to lead through the 21st century. As businesses execute sustainability strategies, and as state and local leaders implement economic development plans to retain and attract new businesses, it is vital that they have access to the energy resources of their choice. We appreciate Sen. Yaw’s leadership in making sure that energy choice is part of the agenda to move Pennsylvania forward.”

The bill passed the Senate in a bipartisan 40-9 vote and now awaits consideration by the House Local Government Committee.

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Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of BusinessTM.