Pennsylvania signs deal making it the largest state purchaser of renewable energy sources in the country.

The commonwealth is poised to become the largest state purchaser of renewable energy sources in the country, Gov. Ed Rendell said yesterday as he unveiled a new agreement with the state’s electric supplier, Community Energy of Wayne, Delaware County.

The agreement calls for 20 percent of electricity used by state government to come from renewable sources like wind and hydropower. That’s twice as much as in the current contract.

The change means a cost increase of less than 1 percent. The state currently spends about $70 million a year on electricity. Under the new agreement, that cost is expected to grow to $70.5 million, Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said yesterday at the DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, where she and the governor unveiled the new contract.

By Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Full Story: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06242/717412-85.stm