Renewables climate in Pa. upbeat

PITTSBURGH, May 21 (UPI) -- The political climate is ripe in Pennsylvania in support of pursuing alternative energy projects such as solar and wind energy.

Western Pennsylvania business leaders in the renewable-energy and venture-capital fields have come out in favor of Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy.

Industry leaders like Conergy, the world's largest solar developer, Gamesa, the second-largest wind-energy firm, and others have recognized Pennsylvania's commitment to renewable energy development. Combined with other solar, wind and biofuel projects that are under way or planned throughout the state, Pennsylvania has benefited from approximately $1 billion in new investments from the alternative energy industry.

While Pennsylvania's investments in homegrown alternative energy solutions are a positive step for the state's economic and competitive future, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said even greater opportunities exist.

"Under Gov. Rendell, Pennsylvania has become the 'destination location' for clean energy investors," McGinty said. "By targeting our resources, we've helped to attract some of the world's leading renewable energy firms and create more than 2,500 jobs in the industry.

"This approach has improved our ability to meet growing energy demands with solutions that are produced within our borders, not overseas."

Among the top initiatives in Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy are targeting up to $500 million for infrastructure improvements, construction, early project-development costs and equipment purchases to attract private investment in energy-related economic development projects, including solar manufacturing; advanced coal technologies; biofuels; and energy conservation, efficiency and energy demand management projects.