Stack Joins Colleagues on Earth Day to Honor PA's 'Green' Efforts

HARRISBURG, APRIL 23, 2009 — In honor of the 39th annual Earth Day, state Sen. Mike Stack on Wednesday joined his colleagues and PennEnvironment to highlight Pennsylvania’s efforts to “go green.”

“We have a lot to celebrate this Earth Day,” Stack said. “Pennsylvania is taking many green strides, including last year’s Alternative Energy Investment Act and the new federal stimulus spending on alternative energy projects.”

Stack announced that the Pennsylvania Insurance Department recently approved the first homeowner’s insurance energy-efficient discounts. The insurer, Donegal Insurance Group, will offer a 5 percent solar energy discount to a homeowner’s premium policy for homes generating electricity for home use or heating, and a separate 5 percent discount to a homeowner’s premium policy for installing a geothermal heat pump meeting “Energy Star” requirements.

“By providing homeowners with incentives to use cleaner energy, we can take yet another step to improve our environment while helping homeowners lower their utility bills,” said Stack, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.

Stack also applauded Philadelphia’s recent efforts to beautify the city at the second annual Philly Spring Clean-Up on April 4.

“I’m so grateful to the thousands of volunteers who cleaned up the commercial corridors, recreation centers and park sites across the Northeast,” Stack said. “Even something as simple as picking up litter makes a difference, and I’m pleased to recognize the city on this Earth Day for all your efforts.

“Pennsylvania has come a long way to improve our environment in large and small ways, but we still have more to do,” Stack said. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to pass meaningful legislation that makes Pennsylvania cleaner and greener for generations to come.”

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