On July 22, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced last week he signed  House Bill 1032 (Fiedler-D- Philadelphia) and Senate Bill 831 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) into law, establishing the Solar for Schools program and creating a regulatory framework for carbon capture, utilization, and geologic sequestration (CCUS) in the Commonwealth.

CCUS will allow vital Pennsylvania industries to remove carbon dioxide from the impact on the planet and either recycle the carbon or store it underground to reduce its impact on the atmosphere.

In addition, energy is one of the highest expenses for school districts – that’s why the bipartisan budget signed by Gov. Shapiro allocates $25 million for Solar for Schools grants, which can save our schools hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

This initiative will create good-paying jobs and job training opportunities while protecting our environment, and most importantly, lowering energy costs for our schools, which will result in more resources for our teachers, students, and parents.

Solar for Schools, administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, will also leverage available federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds to keep installation costs low for schools.

“When I laid out my energy plan, I promised we would take action to be more competitive, ensure Pennsylvanians pay less for electricity bills, and create more jobs and opportunities for our businesses to grow and our workers to get ahead,” said Gov. Shapiro. “The bipartisan legislation I signed this week will do all three by lowering energy bills for our schools so that more resources can go to our students and set the stage for Pennsylvania to lead in a new industry that will reduce pollution while continuing to create good-paying jobs. As the only state in the nation to secure two regional clean hydrogen hubs, carbon capture will be a crucial element of our Western hub and continue Pennsylvania’s legacy of innovation in the energy sector. My Administration looks forward to continuing to work with leaders in both parties to pass the rest of my energy plan and to secure Pennsylvania’s energy future.”

Pennsylvania has a long legacy as a national energy leader – for over one hundred years, the Commonwealth has been one of the nation’s top energy producers, embracing innovation to create jobs, lower costs, and drive progress.

This legislation builds on the energy plan that Gov.  Shapiro laid out earlier this year.

To cement Pennsylvania’s place as one of the world’s top energy producers, Governor Shapiro’s energy plan will protect and create more than 14,500 energy jobs, lower utility bills for Pennsylvania households, and take real action to address climate change pollution.

If passed by the legislature, the Governor’s initiatives would save Pennsylvania ratepayers $252 million in the first five years, while generating $5.1 billion in investment in clean, reliable energy sources.

The Governor looks forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly to secure Pennsylvania’s energy future while ensuring the health and safety of our communities.

While we invest in energy and work to ensure affordable and reliable power for the long term, we also need to reduce pollution, address climate change, and protect Pennsylvanians’ public health and safety.

That’s why in Gov. Shapiro’s first year in office, his Administration worked to cap and plug over 200 orphaned and abandoned wells that leak methane and endanger our communities – more than the previous nine years combined.

The 2024-25 budget signed by the Governor(opens in a new tab) continues this progress by allocating an additional $11 million in state funds to continue to plug as many wells as possible.

The budget also includes $50 million to clean up waterways across Pennsylvania, including local streams that feed the Chesapeake Bay, and $10.5 million to speed up permitting processes at DEP and clear permit backlogs – building on the historic progress made by the Shapiro Administration on permitting reform, including reducing the backlog at DEP by 57%.

“The signing of House Bill 1032 means Pennsylvanians will soon have access to more well-paying jobs, better funded schools, and a cleaner environment,” said Rep. Elizabeth Fielder, prime sponsor of the Solar for Schools Act. “After a long 18 months of visiting schools across the commonwealth and collaborating with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I am honored that Governor Shapiro has brought this bill across the finish line. Solar for Schools is a major victory, and I am humbled to share it with so many strong allies. I look forward to helping school districts across the commonwealth benefit from the program.”

“This represents another important step in our long effort to transform our schools to meet the needs of 21st century students,” said Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), co-prime sponsor of the Solar for Schools Act. “When we introduced companion legislation in the Senate, Senator Comitta and I knew that these incentives would save taxpayers money, make our schools safer and more sustainable, and tell students that we are committed to their future health and success.”

“Schools are constantly looking for innovative ways to be responsible to their taxpayers, diversifying their funding and most importantly allowing their students to learn and grow,” said Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington), co-prime sponsor of the Solar for Schools Act. “This bipartisan legislation encourages our schools to include solar as an option for their energy source. This legislation combines two of my greatest passions, education and energy while also bolstering the economy. Our hard-working building trades will benefit by the thousands of jobs this funding creates.”

“Many schools in Pennsylvania want to transition to more affordable and cleaner sources of energy, like solar, but the initial costs have been a barrier for some schools to make the transition,” said Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), co-prime sponsor of the Solar for Schools Act. “By creating a Solar for Schools Grant Program, we are helping our schools cut down on their overall electricity costs, working to meet our climate action goals, all while creating family-sustaining jobs. I was glad to lend my combined experience as a former public school educator and Education Committee member, as well as a long-time environmental champion and minority chair of the Environmental Resources & Energy Committee to this legislation to lead Pennsylvania schools toward a stronger and more sustainable future. Thank you to my friend and colleague Rep. Fiedler, who championed this legislation in the house, and to all who worked to make this program a reality.”

“This legislation is a proactive step to secure Pennsylvania’s future as a hub for carbon capture and sequestration,” said Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), prime sponsor of the Carbon Capture bill. “It’s a pragmatic solution to a problem that we all want to solve – reducing our carbon emissions without crippling the reliability of our existing power grid. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the legislature and the governor for their support in getting this across the finish line.”

“House Bill 1032 is not just a big win for our schools, it’s a win for workers, taxpayers, and the environment. I was proud to support the bill in my committee, and to work with Rep. Fiedler on getting this important legislation successfully through the legislative process,” said Rep. Robert Matzie (D-Beaver), House Consumer Protection Committee Chair. “Senate Bill 831 was the result of well over a year of negotiation between the Senate, the House, and key stakeholders. It is a pragmatic approach to deal with carbon capture, on our own terms, as a Commonwealth. It was a pleasure to work with Sen. Yaw and his staff to add the necessary amendments in order to get this bill over the finish line and to the Governor.”

“Just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought this kind of collaboration would be possible. But the sun is shining on a new day for Pennsylvania,” said Robert S. Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building Trades Council. “No matter what party, no matter what part of the state, Pennsylvanians want good jobs and a healthy planet to leave for their kids. The bipartisan success of Solar for Schools proves that our commonwealth is committed to both our legacy of energy production and putting union members to work in the future.”

NewsClips:

-- Sen. Yaw Measure Establishing Geologic Sequestration Framework Signed Into Law

-- PA Environmental Council: Carbon Sequestration Bill Signed Into Law

-- Clean Air Task Force: PA Passes Geologic Sequestration Bill In An Important Step For Industrial Decarbonization

-- Better Path Coalition: With Shapiro’s Signature On Geologic Sequestration Bill, PA’s Fate Is Cast As Part Of Climate Problem, Not Solution

-- Fayette County Republican Rep. Krupa Will Keep Fighting Carbon Capture, Other Environmental Injustices  [PaEN]

-- Environmental Health News: 30 Environmental Advocacy Groups Ask PA Governor To Veto Geologic Sequestration Of Carbon Dioxide Bill

-- Williamsport Sun Editorial: Geologic Sequestration Bill Step In Right Direction

Related Articles:

-- Shapiro Administration Secures $396.1 Million In Federal Funding To Cut Carbon Pollution From Industries, Create Jobs  [PaEN]

-- Gov. Shapiro Signs Bipartisan Solar For Schools And Geologic Sequestration Of Carbon Bills Into Law  [PaEN]

-- Green Building Alliance Thanks Sen. Fetterman For Seeking Critical Grant Support For Program To Expand Small Business Resilience In Erie, New Kensington, Westmoreland County  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Study Finds Solar Farms With Stormwater Controls Mitigate Runoff, Erosion  [PaEN]

[Posted: July 22, 2024]

7/29/2024