HARRISBURG — Two components of Gov. Ed Rendell's "energy independence strategy" — giving a state authority the capacity to fund alternative energy production and boosting the use of biofuels — easily passed the state House on Wednesday.

John Hanger, president of the environmental advocacy group PennFuture, noted that both measures had bipartisan support.

"The question that the public asks is, 'What took you so long?"' Hanger said. "And what the House did today is answer the question. We're serious in Pennsylvania, and now the ball is in the court of the Senate."

One of the two Democratic sponsored bills would expand the powers of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Authority so it can promote development of alternative energy technology and help make homes and businesses more energy efficient.