On March 14, Senators Art Haywood (D-Montgomery), Thomas Killion (R-Delaware) and Steven Santarsiero (D-Bucks) started circulating a co-sponsorship memo on legislation to increase the Tier 1 Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards requirement for renewable energy from the current 8 percent to 30 percent by 2030.

The bill would carve out 7.5 percent of the target for in-state, grid-scale solar (such as utility-scale solar farms) as well as 2.5 percent for in-state distributed generation solar (such as rooftop solar).

“We are excited that senators Haywood, Killion and Santarsiero recognize the tremendous potential for a clean energy economy in Pennsylvania powered by renewable energy,” said the Clean Power PA Coalition in a statement.  “Their proposed legislation to modernize renewable energy standards will cut carbon emissions, improve public health and our environment and create tens of thousands of new family-sustaining jobs for residents of our Commonwealth.

“Reducing carbon emissions from the power generation sector in Pennsylvania is a critical and urgent goal we must meet in order to tackle climate change. Significantly scaling up solar and wind generation via the AEPS will help Pennsylvania mitigate its status as the nation’s third-largest carbon emitter.

“We are also glad that the senators have included strong consumer protection measures as part of this important and much needed policy effort.

“It’s time for Pennsylvania to pursue a clean energy future in which addressing climate change will also drive job creation and innovation. Senators Haywood, Killion and Santarsiero have proposed a bold vision for this path forward and we look forward to working with them to make these renewable energy goals a reality.”

Click Here for a copy of the co-sponsor memo.

(Photo: Solar energy installation at Elizabethtown College, Lancaster County.)

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[Posted: March 14, 2019]

3/18/2019