Rep. Danielle Friel Otten is taking a step towards a greener future for Pennsylvania. She recently proposed House Bill 1467, which aims to enhance the state’s renewable energy standard. This move is essential, as it will promote the use of clean and renewable energy sources, which are crucial for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. Moreover, the bill will also allow community solar projects in Pennsylvania, enabling residents to access solar energy even if they cannot install solar panels on their property. Exact Solar fully supports House Bill 1467 and believes that it is a critical step towards a brighter and cleaner future for Pennsylvania. We urge our customers to join us in advocating for this bill to be passed into law. With your help, we can ensure that our state moves towards a more sustainable energy future and reduces our carbon footprint.
House Bill 1467 is a significant step towards promoting the use of renewable energy in Pennsylvania. The bill proposes to expand the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) requirements originally passed in 2004, which mandates that 8% of renewable energy be used by the state utilities, to 30% renewables by 2030. This expansion includes 8% for in-state utility-scale solar, 2% for in-state community solar, and 4% for in-state distributed solar, such as rooftop solar.
In addition to expanding the mandate for renewable energy, the bill also proposes enabling community solar projects in Pennsylvania, which are currently not permitted. Community solar projects are an excellent way for people who cannot install solar on their properties to subscribe to a portion of the energy generated by a solar system located in their community. This would be credited to their electric bill, providing them with clean energy without the need for installing solar panels on their roofs.
Overall, House Bill 1467 is a significant milestone in promoting the use of renewable energy in Pennsylvania. The bill’s expansion of the AEPS requirements and enabling of community solar projects will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the state’s environment, economy, and communities. To read the bill in its entirety, click here.
To ensure that this bill becomes a law, it is crucial that we encourage our legislators to co-sponsor and support it. Fortunately, Pennsylvania residents can easily contact their representatives with the help of a form created by the Pennsylvania Solar Center. Even if you don’t know who your legislator is, their website offers a user-friendly process that lets you send a pre-drafted message directly to your state representative. By filling out your information, you can make a difference in supporting this bill that could transform Pennsylvania’s energy landscape. Click here to complete the form.
The potential benefits of this bill cannot be overstated. It has the potential to reduce the price of electricity for all customers, including businesses, farms, non-profits, municipalities, faith communities, and homeowners who go solar. Additionally, it could diversify our energy mix and create tens of thousands of jobs. Supporting this bill will be a significant step forward for Pennsylvania, and we urge you to join Exact Solar in taking action to make this important legislation a reality.