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Pennsylvania State Senate
04/18/2024 09:07 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20230&cosponId=40010
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: February 28, 2023 04:47 PM
From: Senator Steven J. Santarsiero and Sen. Carolyn T. Comitta, Sen. Art Haywood
To: All Senate members
Subject: Modernizing Pennsylvania's Renewable Energy Standards
 
While the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS) was a forward-looking policy when enacted in 2004, neighboring states with stronger energy standards have surpassed us – creating thousands of new, family-sustaining jobs and cutting emissions in the process. In fact, over the last two years, Maryland (50%), New Jersey (50%) and New York (70%) all significantly increased their renewable energy standards by 2030.

There is a clear opportunity cost of not taking greater advantage of the environmental and economic opportunities that the renewable industry supplies. Since the AEPS percentage requirements plateaued in 2021, the state needs to set more assertive, long-term targets to realize the economic and environmental potential of renewable energy in the Commonwealth.
Therefore, we plan to introduce legislation to keep Pennsylvania competitive with surrounding states by setting realistic and achievable renewable energy requirements through the AEPS.

Specifically, our legislation:
  1. Expands the AEPS Tier I requirement from 8% to 30% by 2030, including 8% for in-state grid-scale solar, 2% for community solar, and 4% for in-state distributed generation solar;
  2. Enables community solar projects that are not currently permitted in Pennsylvania. Community solar allows 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, which would be credited to their electric bill.
 
With soaring electricity prices and the passage of the federal Inflation Reduction Act, renewable energy is offering homeowners, businesses, farms, nonprofits, and municipalities the opportunity to save money on their utility bills. It is time we tap into the enormous benefits from increasing our renewable energy goals and re-establish Pennsylvania as a clean energy leader. Failing to do so would effectively shut the door on thousands of new jobs throughout the state.

Please join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation for Pennsylvania to remain competitive in America’s renewable energy economy.
 
This is a reintroduction of Senate Bill 300 from last session, which was co-sponsored by Senators Kearney, Street, Fontana, Hughes, Costa, Muth, Collett, L. Williams, and Dillon.

 


Introduced as SB230