STATE COLLEGE, CENTE COUNTY - Next year millions of Pennsylvanians will prepare for electric rate cap expirations. Folks in the commonwealth should also be aware of another statewide energy initiative, Act 129.

Act 129 has a lot of different components but the most important might be mandatory energy use reductions here in the commonwealth The responsibility for lowering energy use here in the commonwealth falls on the shoulders of local power companies.

By the summer of 201,1 they must reduce all electric use here in Pennsylvania by one percent. That many not seem like much, but according to 2005 data from the U.S. Department of Energy that equals about 10 million kilowatt hours of electricity. Just two years later, power companies will have to shed three percent of the Commonwealth’s electric use.

The hope is that Act 129 will help spur Pennsylvanians toward energy conservation, and it will be power companies leading the charge.

“The electric companies will be offering incentives for home weatherization, switching out of incandescent lamps for much more efficient compact florescent lamps, encouragement to buy energy star appliances,” James Cawley, Pennsylvania PUC Chairman, said.

For more information about act 129 and how it will affect your family, click here .