Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., on June 16 supported an amendment to the federal energy bill that will lower electricity prices, create thousands of new jobs, reduce global warming pollution and help alleviate public health problems such as asthma and lung cancer.

The Renewable Energy Standard ensures that America will get at least 10 percent of its energy from clean energy sources like wind, solar and geothermal power. By cutting demand for expensive fossil fuels and nuclear power, it will help save consumers more than $12 billion, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

In Pennsylvania, less dependence on coal-fired power plants means a significant drop in soot pollution, the air pollution that prematurely kills over 1,800 Pennsylvanians each year. In addition, utilizing Pennsylvania's renewable resources, such as wind and solar energy, will create new jobs and improve our state's economy.

PennEnvironment applauds Specter's support of this policy, and encourages him to vote against any federal energy bill that does not include a substantial renewable energy standard. JENNY REYNOLDS PennEnvironment Philadelphia

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