On September 10, Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors and 60+ community organizations and partners wrote a letter to members of the Pennsylvania Senate urging them to take action on bipartisan community solar legislation when they return to fall voting session September 16.

The groups are advocating for the passage of House Bill 1842, a bill that would bring the economic, social, and environmental benefits of community solar to residents across the Commonwealth.

As Pennsylvania faces the urgent need to transition to clean energy, this bill offers a cost-effective and equitable solution for households, businesses, schools, and other community institutions to access solar power—regardless of income level, credit score, or housing situation.

Community solar projects offer a transformative opportunity to break down the barriers that have historically prevented many Pennsylvanians from harnessing the power of the sun.

Families who rent, those with older or shared roofs, and individuals facing financial constraints often cannot install traditional rooftop solar panels.

House Bill 1842 paves the way for these residents to access affordable and reliable solar energy by participating in shared community solar programs.

The bill would also create thousands of jobs across the state, particularly in the building trades, and to stimulate economic growth in both urban and rural areas.

By capitalizing on federal incentives, Pennsylvania can unlock a clean energy economy that delivers lower utility bills, good-paying jobs, and improved public health for communities that have been disproportionately affected by rising costs of living and environmental degradation.

While community solar is thriving in 22 other states and the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania has yet to embrace this fundamental policy.

House Bill 1842 offers robust consumer protections, maximizes benefits for low-wealth communities, and includes strong labor standards—all while ensuring that community solar projects do not compete for funding with other essential programs.

Statements from organizations in support of HB 1842--

“All Pennsylvanians deserve lower energy bills, clean air, and a safe climate - and legislators have a clear chance to deliver.” said Stephan Roundtree, Deputy Program Director, Northeast & Mid-Atlantic at Vote Solar. “Passing community solar legislation will offer countless opportunities to strengthen Pennsylvania communities  - unlocking monthly bill savings, spurring good local jobs, and creating new tax revenues across the Commonwealth.”

“Community solar levels the playing field and allows everyone with an electric bill to access the benefits of solar energy," said Monica Carey, Pennsylvania Program Director, Solar United Neighbors.

Click Here for a copy of the letter and the list of groups supporting action.

House Bill 1842 is in the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.

Sen. Patrick Stefano (R-Fayette) serves as Majority Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7175 or sending email to:  pstefano@pasen.gov.  Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-4236 or sending email to: boscola@pasenate.com.

Resource Links:

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

-- 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]

-- Landowners Urge Lawmakers To Pass Real Community Solar Energy Bills To Give $1.8 Billion Boost To PA Economy, Help Farmers As Senate Committee Meets   [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 This Week:

-- US Dept. Of Energy Awards $20 Million To Improve Siting Of Renewable Energy Facilities; $1.96 Million To PA  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Grist: Coalition Of PA Trade Unions Launch New Clean Energy Advocacy Group-- Union Energy

-- The Keystone: PA Received Over $1.08 Billion In Clean Energy Investments From Federal Inflation Reduction Act

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Environmental, Education, Labor Advocates Celebrate New ‘Solar For Schools’ Grant Program

-- WESA: Program To Help Power PA Schools With Solar Energy Will Go Online Soon

-- Utility Dive: PJM Seeks OK From FERC To End Energy Efficiency Capacity Payments; No Evidence, They Say, They Spur Energy Efficiency Investments

-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: Growing Demand For Power, But No Clean Plan For PJM Grid Operator

[Posted: September 12, 2024]

9/16/2024