‘Energy Choice’ Bill Has Some Lawmakers Worried Local Government Could Lose Power
File photo
Though it’s dubbed an “energy choice” bill, a proposal now before the state Senate has lawmakers worried that Pennsylvania municipalities will lose some power over local decisions.
Members of the Senate Local Government and Environmental Resources and Energy committees met for a joint hearing Tuesday where they heard from stakeholders and discussed Senate Bill 275. Sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Lycoming, the bill claims to prevent discrimination against all forms of energy by prohibiting municipalities from creating policies that restrict sources.
“It seems like it may be a bit of a solution in search of a problem,” Sen. Tim Kearney, D-Delaware, said. “Since my time in the Senate, it’s been hammered into me that one size does not fit all in Pennsylvania, so I’m a little distressed by this sort of idea that we should decide for all boroughs, all municipalities, all ci