Cohen recognized by national group for environmental initiatives

Cohen recognized by national group for environmental initiatives

HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 -- State Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., has been recognized by a national environmental group for his efforts to promote hybrid vehicle technology in Pennsylvania.

On Monday, the environmental group Apollo Alliance released a report, "New Energy for States," that outlines the best state-based clean energy solutions. In the report, the group identified Cohen's recent introduction of three bills to promote the use of plug-in hybrid gas-electric vehicles and applauded him, saying that Cohen is "providing a model the nation should follow."

"This was unexpected, but to have my proposals included in a report on clean energy solutions by such a broad-based organization as Apollo Alliance is a great honor and shows that Pennsylvania is on the right track," Cohen said.

However, he noted, the accolades shouldn't lull the state into complacency.

"We may be leading the way, as Apollo Alliance says, but we can do more to encourage use of clean energy and hybrid vehicles."

Cohen's legislation would call on domestic car makers to manufacture plug-in hybrids (H.R. 445); create a state plug-in hybrid task force (H.B. 2068); and exempt from the state sales tax the batteries and hardware in plug-in hybrids, as well as the labor to convert a car to a plug-in hybrid (H.B. 2392).

Cohen pointed out that hybrid technology is gaining support from the federal government. Also Monday, President George Bush spoke at Johnson Controls, a hybrid battery manufacturer, and endorsed the idea of plug-in and other hybrid vehicles as one way the nation could reduce its dependence on foreign oil.

"Another way we can reinforce this message is to hold a national hybrid car summit so both state and national leaders can get together to examine alternative energy sources,” Cohen said.

Cohen is suggesting that the summit be held in Philadelphia while the city celebrates the 300th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, who invented the electric battery that is the basis for today's hybrid cars. Cohen further said that the West Philadelphia High School program that has developed national award-winning alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles could also be showcased at this proposed event.

To learn more about plug-in hybrids or to post your own comments, visit Cohen's blog at http://keystonehybrid.blogspot.com.

The Apollo Alliance represents a coalition of national security, labor, environmental, civil rights and business leaders who are fighting for energy independence from foreign energy sources.