More Than 60 Organizations Call for Passage of PA Community Solar Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2024
CONTACT:
Reilly Henson, Regional Communications Associate, Solar United Neighbors
Phone: 202-888-3601 Ext. 602
Email: [email protected]
More Than 60 Organizations Call for Passage of PA Community Solar Legislation
Sign-on letter urges Senate to act on HB 1842
Harrisburg, PA- The momentum to expand access to money-saving, clean solar energy has never been greater. More than 60 organizations from across the commonwealth have signed on to a letter in support of PA Community Solar Bill: House Bill 1842. The letter calls for the Pennsylvania State Senate to unlock the benefits of the clean energy economy by enabling community solar through HB 1842. With a Legislative Lobby Day set for June 6, the groups plan to deliver the letter personally and urge action as soon as possible.
Following a unanimous vote of support in the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee, HB 1842 was referred to the Pennsylvania Senate’s Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. The Senate must act on House Bill 1842 to enable community solar this year before the current legislative session ends, and it requires reintroduction.
The nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN) and members of OurSolarPA celebrated the support for HB 1842 from a wide and diverse array of organizations because it would level the playing field for all energy consumers and benefit Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth.
“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 Senator Rosemary Brown for leading the cause for HB 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 HB 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: Vote Solar Action Fund, PennEnvironment, Clean Air Council, PennFuture, POWER Interfaith, Climate Action PA, Sierra Club Pennsylvania and The Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania. This impressive list of signers plus SUN’s 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 Representative Peter Schweyer and Senator Rosemary Brown who are working to make this vision a reality.”
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.
“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.”
ABOUT SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS
Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in Pennsylvania and nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. SUN has a mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.
ABOUT OURSOLARPA
The more than 30 organizations that make up OurSolarPA believe that all Pennsylvanians deserve the economic, health, resilience, and environmental benefits of local clean energy. Community solar has the power to meaningfully expand access to clean energy in the Commonwealth, advancing resiliency, energy independence, good jobs, and environmental stewardship in the process.
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