Advocates, including Gov. Rendell, for long-in-the-making legislation that would increase requirements for alternative-energy use in Pennsylvania expressed pessimism Monday that passage could be accomplished before the General Assembly breaks for its summer recess.

That vacation could start by week's end if a budget consensus can be reached. The current spending plan expires at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

If House Bill 2405 does not advance by then, it will be the second time the state's efforts at building on its 2004 alternative-energy standards have been stymied. Supporters say such enhancements are essential to ensuring the state's competitiveness in a clean-energy economy.

Once... [continue via Web link]