HARRISBURG – Alternative energy sources, like biofuels derived from corn and soybeans, and solar and wind energy, will fuel economic growth in rural communities and reduce the state’s dependence on foreign oil, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said while touring southeastern Pennsylvania.
“Pennsylvania, particularly our rural communities, is poised to reap tremendous benefits from investments in alternative fuels,” Wolff said during a town hall meeting in Berks County. “Our growing dependence on fossil fuels from countries that are politically unstable or controlled by regimes hostile to America’s interests is a danger to our national security, and biodiesel presents a strong alternative, especially when considering the escalating cost and demand for petroleum diesel.”
Wolff, who visited Montgomery and Berks counties today as part of his 5th annual Harvest Tour, said that the United States imports 60 percent of its oil, with Pennsylvania spending $30 billion annually on liquid fuels produced beyond the state’s borders.
“We need to take steps now to reduce this dependence and keep more of that $30 billion here in Pennsylvania, where we can invest it in our farmers and our communities,” Wolff said. “Bringing new fuel industries, particularly ethanol production, to rural communities will benefit a host of industries, from the farmers who produce the raw materials to the transportation companies that will bring biofuels to the rest of the state.”
Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s PennSecurity Fuels Initiative calls for the production and use of one billion gallons of biofuels within Pennsylvania.
The governor’s Energy Independence Strategy would require every gallon of gasoline sold in Pennsylvania to include 10 percent ethanol once in-state production reaches 200 million gallons per year, with incremental increases up to 20 percent once annual production reaches 300 million gallons.
Wolff spent the day touring companies already utilizing alternative energy sources. He started the day in Lyon Station, Berks County, at the East Penn Industries Deka Battery plant. East Penn produces batteries that store solar and wind energy. The company also recycles old batteries and recharges them using large solar panels.
Wolff also visited Giorgi Mushrooms in Fleetwood, Berks County. Giorgi uses the heat naturally produced during the mushroom growing process to warm the buildings at the facility.
The tour ended with the town meeting at East Penn Industries, where Wolff discussed the issues facing Pennsylvania farmers.
The annual Harvest Tour includes visits to each of the seven regions in Pennsylvania. Secretary Wolff shares the information gathered during the Harvest Tour with Governor Rendell, who uses it to fine-tune existing programs and establish new initiatives to keep Pennsylvania agriculture growing.