The House Commerce Committee Tuesday unanimously reported out Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-Lackawanna), the Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program, that authorizes local governments to create energy improvement districts to help fund energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects for commercial, agricultural and industrial buildings to reduce their operating costs (Senate Fiscal Note and summary).
The Committee held a hearing on the bill April 19 where Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna) and Sen. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny), the bipartisan sponsors of the bill, provided an overview of the commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program created by the legislation.
They noted the C-PACE program overcomes some of the challenges of energy efficiency financing and does not cost taxpayers a dime noting that financing is coming from private, not public, institutions.
They said the program will create jobs, lower energy costs and increase competitiveness, all while improving the environment.
The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.
Rep. Brian Ellis (R-Butler), Majority Chair of the Committee, said his intention is to vote on the bill in Committee on May 1. Rep. Ellis can be contacted at 717-787-7686 or by sending email to: bellis@pahousegop.com.
Rep. Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted at 717-787-9471 or by sending email to: cthomas@pahouse.net.
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