MUSTO APPOINTED DEMOCRATIC CHAIR OF SPECIAL ENERGY COMMITTEE

             HARRISBURG, October 3 - State Senator Ray Musto today was named Democratic chairman of the 15-member state Senate Committee on Energy Policies for the Special Session on Energy.

“This special session on energy promises to have a very bold imprint on the future as we seek ways to embrace promising new alternative energy technologies, improve our environment, create new jobs and reduce our dependence on imported fuels,” Musto said. “I am honored to take such an influential role in the ongoing special session.”

The committee will review, discuss and debate all legislative proposals for the Special Session on Energy and make decisions on what bills reach the full Senate for a vote.

In appointing Musto Democratic Chairman, Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow (D-Lackawanna) described Musto as “one of the Democratic Legislative Caucus’ strongest voices, negotiators and policy makers on energy and environmental issues for well over a decade.”

Musto was one of the architects of Pennsylvania’s landmark 2004 two-tiered portfolio standard that mandates that 18 percent of all of the energy generated in Pennsylvania will come from clean, efficient sources by the year 2019.

He recently introduced key provisions of Gov. Rendell’s proposed energy package that would expand the use of solar technology and invest in the development and use of alternative energy technologies.

“While I will be open to promising and emerging forms of alternative energy, I will continue to promote the development and use of clean-burning coal and other bountiful resources in Pennsylvania, Musto said.