On March 19, the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee amended and unanimously reported out House Bill 1842 (Schweyer-D-Lehigh) that would authorize a community solar program.

"House Bill 1842 is a win for everyone,” said Don Umberger, a resident of Hershey. “It would allow folks like me to participate in solar, despite the large trees that shade my house. Community solar creates good, well-paying jobs for Pennsylvanians, and it brings more clean energy to our state. I encourage the House and Senate to pass it quickly, so we can all enjoy the benefits of solar as soon as possible."

Community solar breaks down the barriers that many people face when trying to access solar energy.

The program would allow Pennsylvanians who don’t own their homes or can’t finance solar, or who have unsuitable roofs, to purchase a “share” in a nearby solar installation.

They would then earn a credit on their electric bill each month based on the size of their share. Savings are guaranteed.

“This is an exciting, long overdue step forward for energy policy in Pennsylvania,” said Monica Carey, Pennsylvania program director for Solar United Neighbors. “Not only would this bill make solar energy more accessible for people throughout the state, it would create jobs and diversify our energy sources in the process.”

House Bill 1842 bill levels the playing field for all energy consumers and would benefit people in every region of Pennsylvania.

A Penn State economic study found that community solar projects are projected to create 12,000 total jobs in the Commonwealth and generate a $1.8 billion stimulus for the economy.

SUN has more than 22,500 members across Pennsylvania, showing the desire for community solar stretches across the Commonwealth.

“Everyone deserves to be able to choose what’s right for them when it comes to their electricity,” Carey said. “Community solar would make that choice more real for people across Pennsylvania, while helping them save money.”

Nearly half of states in the U.S. allow community solar, and many more are actively considering it.

House Bill 1842 could make Pennsylvania the next state to pass this innovative solar policy.

The amended bill was reported of Committee and Tabled by the full House.

Rep. Robert Matzie (D-Beaver) serves as Majority Chair of the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-4444 or sending email to: rmatzie@pahouse.net.  Rep. Jim Marshall (R-Beaver) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-260-6432 or sending email to: jmarshal@pahousegop.com.

Related Articles - Solar:

-- Bipartisan House, Senate Members Introduce Legislation Establishing Real Community Solar Program To Help Address Home/Business Energy Spikes Caused By Volatile Natural Gas Prices [PaEN]

-- Gov. Shapiro Unveils Cap-And-Invest PA Climate Emissions Reduction Initiative To Reduce Carbon Pollution From Power Plants; Update Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards To Diversify Electric Generation, Improve Reliability  [PaEN]

-- Pennsylvania’s Electric Grid Is Dependent On One Fuel To Generate 59% Of Our Electricity; Market Moving To Renewables + Storage  [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- Sen. Comitta, Sen. Santarsiero, Rep. Otten, Rep. Abney To Introduce Gov. Shapiro’s Energy, Climate Initiatives  [PaEN]

-- Solar United Neighbors Hails House Committee Action On Community Solar Legislation  [PaEN]

-- US DOE Awards Mineral Basin Solar Project In Clearfield County $90 Million For 402 MW Facility On Abandoned Mine Lands; Filling Gap Left By Closure Of Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Patch.com: New Era Of Sustainable Energy Proposed By Sen. Santarsiero

-- Spotlight PA: Shapiro’s Energy/Climate Plan Comes With One Major Catch: It Needs Republican Support

-- Electrek: Pennsylvania’s Largest Solar Energy Facility Will Replace Its Largest Coal-fired Power Plant  [Mineral Basin Solar Project, Clearfield County]

-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: Feds Send $90 Million For Largest PA Solar Energy Project Yet

-- Shenandoah Sentinel: West Mahanoy Planners Give Reading Anthracite Solar Farm Conditional Green Light

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Housing Authority Plots Path To Solar Power

-- PA Capital-Star: House Environmental Committee Reports Out Framework For Leasing Lake Erie Lakebed For Wind Energy Development

-- Erie Times: Wind Farms In Lake Erie Off Erie County Coast?  House Committee Moves Merski Bill

[Posted: March 19, 2024]

3/25/2024