On July 12, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Adams) announced the introduction of Senate Bill 798 to provide $5 million in state tax credits to develop solar energy facilities on brownfields, abandoned mine sites, capped landfills, warehouse and parking facility roofs.

The bill would also prohibit solar energy facilities on Class I and II agricultural soils.

“Pennsylvania has an abundance of brownfields – or old industrial sites – and abandoned strip mine land, capped landfills, warehouse roof tops and surface parking lots,” Sen. Mastriano said. “These sites are not suitable for most types of development, but could be ideal for the growing solar industry.”

“Preserving our prime farmland for agriculture use is paramount to ensure food security in our commonwealth is stable for generations to come,” Sen. Mastriano said. “I believe we can balance the expansion of solar energy and protect our precious prime farmland at the same time. Senate Bill 798 accomplishes both of those goals.”

The bill was referred to the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee for consideration.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

(Photo: MCS Industries’ distribution center in Palmer Township, Northampton County.

NewsClip:

-- South Mountain Partnership: Solar Rooftop Arrays - What About Warehouses?

[Posted: July 12, 2023]

7/17/2023