On May 29, more than 60 organizations signed a letter calling on the PA Senate to unlock the benefits of clean solar energy by passing House Bill 1842 enabling community solar programs.

With a Legislative Lobby Day set for June 6, the groups plan to deliver the letter personally and urge action as soon as possible.

House Bill 1842 was passed by the House on March 26-- after unanimous support in the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee-- and referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee on April 22.  Read more here.

“This milestone demonstrates how many Pennsylvanians want to see this bill become law. We want to thank the 60+ organizations who join us in calling for community solar to finally be an energy choice in Pennsylvania,” said Monica Carey, Pennsylvania Program Director for SUN. “We also want to recognize Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-Lackawanna) for leading the cause for House Bill 1842 in the Senate. We believe in this bill, and we want to see guaranteed savings included to ensure program participants receive the maximum benefit.”

Community solar would bring economic, social and environmental benefits to every region of Pennsylvania.

It breaks down the barriers that many people face when trying to access solar energy. This includes lack of homeownership, financial barriers, and unsuitable roof options.

Enabling community solar projects through House Bill 1842 will create thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania, promote economic development in all areas of the state, and provide valuable tax revenues to local governments and school districts.

The time is now for Pennsylvania to join the 22 other states plus the District of Columbia, which have already approved community solar and begun enjoying its benefits.

Some of the 60-plus signers of the letter include: Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Vote Solar Action Fund, PennEnvironment, Clean Air Council, PennFuture, POWER Interfaith, Climate Action PA, Sierra Club Pennsylvania and The Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania. 

This list of signers plus Solar United Neighbors’ more than 22,500 members show the strong desire for community solar across the Commonwealth. Organizations that had signed on to the letter delivered it to legislators in Harrisburg this week.

“In every corner of the state, Pennsylvanians are calling to unleash the economic, social and environmental benefits of community solar,” said Elowyn Corby, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for non-profit Vote Solar Action Fund. “This legislation will help a wide range of communities across the Commonwealth: from farmers to job seekers to economically disadvantaged communities and communities harmed by pollution. We’re grateful to the more than 60 organizations that stand united behind a vision for a community solar program that puts people first, and to the state leaders like Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) and Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-Lackawanna) who are working to make this vision a reality.”

"With recent studies showing Pennsylvania ranked 50th for bringing new renewable energy projects online over the past decade, state officials must use every tool in the toolbox to catch up and fully tap into the renewable energy economy,” said Flora Cardoni, Field Director for PennEnvironment. “Community solar policies have a proven track record in states across the nation for spurring more solar energy projects, and it's time Pennsylvania joins them."

Click Here for a copy of the letter.

June 6 Lobby Day

To emphasize this critical time in the legislative process, Penn Environment is hosting a Virtual Citizen Climate Lobby Day on Thursday, June 6 where more than 200 people will virtually descend on Harrisburg to tell legislators to say yes to community solar.

Those interested in attending can register online.

Resource Links:

-- Solar United Neighbors Celebrate House Passage Of Community Solar Energy Bill; Senate Urged To Pass The Bill  [PaEN]

-- Utility Supported Local Solar Program:  Senate Bill 1227 (Laughlin (R-Erie) establishing a PA Local Solar Program sponsored by electric utilities (sponsor summary).  [Note: This is not the community solar energy program bill supported by 60+ groups last week.  Read more here.]

Related Articles:

-- DEP Issues Request For Information For Clean Energy Generation, Storage Projects On State-Owned Abandoned Mine Lands; Webinar June 10  [PaEN]

-- Lt. Governor, Acting DEP Secretary Highlight Potential Of Solar Power On Abandoned Mine Lands At Beaver County Site; Issued New Report On Solar Potential Of Mined Lands  [PaEN]

-- 60+ Organizations Call For PA Senate Passage Of Community Solar Legislation [PaEN]

-- PUC Publishes Final Policy Statement On Use Of Electric Storage To Enhance Grid Reliability, Resilience And Reduce Energy Costs  [PaEN]

-- Keystone Energy Efficiency Program Announces KEEP Home Energy Loan Contractor Training Events Starting June 4  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Feds Offer $90 Million For Vast Solar Energy Array On PA Mine Land In Clearfield County

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Yes, Solar Energy Can Work In Cloudy Pittsburgh

-- WESA: Swisshelm Park Solar Energy Project Radiates Pittsburgh’s Energy Future

-- Project Breathe: Solarpunk Future 2024 June 29 In Pittsburgh, Part Art Show, Part Job Fair, Imagines A Community-led, Sustainable Future, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

-- MCall Guest Essay: Shapiro Energy/Climate Plan Would Move PA Economy Into The Future, Protect The Environment - By Carbon Off

-- The Guardian: Increasing Use Of Renewable Energy In US Yields Billions In Benefits

-- US DOE, US Treasury, USDA Release Joint Policy Statement And Principles On Voluntary Carbon Credit Markets

[Posted: May 29, 2024]

6/3/2024