Wolf Alternative Energy Proposal Mimics Existing Struzzi Legislation

May 18, 2022

HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf’s desire to pursue funding for a regional clean hydrogen hub falls right in line with the Energy Sustainability and Investment Act proposed by state Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana).

“Part of my effort to make a good bill - House Bill 637 - better included an amendment that would hopefully make it more appealing to its detractors and draw even more bipartisan support that it already had,” Struzzi said. “Securing federal funds for a regional hydrogen hub was included in the bill that passed the House, and I’m glad to see the governor agree to this portion of the legislation.”

On Monday, Wolf announced his interest in a regional clean hydrogen hub that would hopefully be part of the product from a recent collaboration with energy, organized labor, and environmental stakeholders. While the governor’s request accesses money from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Struzzi’s bill would deploy existing COVID-19 Response Restricted Account funding.

“The governor has accused the General Assembly of sitting on the federal COVID money,” added Struzzi. “House Bill 637, which awaits a vote by a Senate committee, would invest $125 million of it in new energy technologies such as hydrogen, more than $62 million in sewer and water infrastructure and storm water mitigation projects and another $62 million to help workers and communities impacted by electric generation or manufacturing plant closures.

“Legislative progress on challenging issues only occurs when both sides agree to some degree of compromise,” Struzzi commented. “The governor has expressed a desire to assist workers who are displaced through plant closures and now is looking into the future with his interest in hydrogen. If the Senate sends him House Bill 637, he gets both of those things from his wish list while simply allowing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to go before the General Assembly, a proposal that was the initial reason for me authoring the legislation.”

Questions about this or any legislative issue may be directed to Struzzi’s office at 1-724-465-0220.

Representative Jim Struzzi
62nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137 (office), 717.497.5937 (cell)
Slittle@pahousegop.com
RepStruzzi.com / Facebook.com/RepStruzzi