Press Release

PHILADELPHIA -- Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Glen R. Thomas today joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman to announce that Liberty Bell Pavilion at Independence National Historical Park is the first national landmark to purchase 100 percent renewable electricity.

Chairman Thomas noted that Pennsylvania’s electric-competition program, which has created a demand for renewable energy statewide, helped to make this announcement possible.

"Pennsylvania is proud of our past that truly made our state the keystone of a nation. And we are proud of the historic landmarks that symbolize that proud heritage -- including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall," Chairman Thomas said. "We are also proud of Pennsylvania’s current standing as a leader for electric competition and green power. And thus we take pride in our state’s new landmarks that represent that success -- the wind farms being built here at a rapid pace.

"As Chairman over the last 15 months, I have been proud to see three new wind farms come online in Pennsylvania -- with 35 megawatts of pollution-free electricity -- and there are more on the way.

"Today we welcome the newest customer in a long line of green power buyers in Pennsylvania that includes colleges, universities, grocery stores and cafes: Liberty Bell Pavilion. The federal government will purchase 11 million kilowatt hours of electricity through its three-year contract with Green Mountain Energy -- enough electricity to power 15,000 homes for a month!"

The Chairman also applauded the federal government’s advocacy on energy and environment issues, citing the PUC’s work with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on issues that will strengthen energy competition, and thanking Administrator Whitman for coming to Pennsylvania today to make this announcement.

"As a former utility commissioner, a Governor and now EPA Administrator, she understands the importance of partnerships that keep power flowing to customers and bring innovative, cleaner forms of power to the market," said Chairman Thomas, as he introduced the EPA Administrator.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as responsible stewards of competition.