PennEnvironment: With Federal Clean Energy Rebates Under Attack, Hundreds Of Concerned Pennsylvanians Press State Lawmakers To Act

With Congress rolling back numerous federal clean energy programs, hundreds of Pennsylvanians joined PennEnvironment’s annual virtual “citizen lobby day.” 

New data shows the Keystone State ranking a lowly 49th in the nation for growth in renewable energy over the past decade, making it even more important for constituents to lobby their state senators and representatives to fill the potential federal funding gap.

“Red, blue and purple states are all diving in and taking advantage of the clean energy opportunities readily available in their states. But Pennsylvania is falling far behind in the renewable energy race,” noted PennEnvironment Deputy Director Flora Cardoni. “It’s time for the Keystone State to stop being a clean energy laggard, and implement the policies needed to make it a clean energy leader.” 

Over the course of the day, nearly 400 constituents from Erie to Philadelphia and everywhere in between met with their respective state legislators from 65 different (more than one quarter of the) state House and Senate districts. 

This cross-section of Pennsylvanians called on their state legislators to pass the package of energy conservation and clean energy policies put forth in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s energy plan -- often referred to as the Lightning Plan. 

The plan includes proposals to increase the amount of clean, renewable energy that utility companies must supply in Pennsylvania; expand the state’s cornerstone energy conservation program to reduce energy consumption and save Pennsylvanians money on their utility bills; reduce climate pollution from the state’s largest global warming polluters; authorize community energy, which will allow residents to access and jointly share solar energy resources; and streamline the process for wind and solar projects to come online faster, to help deliver more clean energy.

"PennEnvironment’s annual virtual citizen lobby day is a simple and effective way for concerned Pennsylvanians to have their voices heard about the environmental and energy issues that affect their lives and they care so deeply about," said Cardoni. "That’s why so many residents take time out of their busy schedules to call on their elected officials to implement policies to expand clean energy, improve energy efficiency, reduce climate and air pollution, and protect our children and future generations."

The day also included a virtual rally featuring cosponsors of Lighting Plan legislation, including state Sen. Judy Schwank, as well as Jessica Shirley, the acting secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

“Climate change is causing more frequent and severe extreme weather events, putting Pennsylvania communities in harm’s way,” said Senator Judy Schwank. Substantive action to address our over-reliance on fossil fuels and meet our need for clean, renewable energy is long overdue. Community Energy is just one of many policies we can enact at the state level to modernize Pennsylvania’s energy agenda and ensure we protect our environment for future generations.”

This year’s citizen climate action lobby day is co-sponsored by PennPIRG, Solar United Neighbors, Vote Solar Action Fund, POWER Interfaith, Sierra Club PA, Clean Air Action Fund, KEEA, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA, Audubon Mid-Atlantic, PA-IPL, Evergreen Action, Third Act PA and more. 

Related Articles This Week:

-- PA Solar Center Honors 19 Organizations For Their Leadership In Going Solar  [PaEN]

-- PennEnvironment: With Federal Clean Energy Rebates Under Attack, Hundreds Of Concerned Pennsylvanians Press State Lawmakers To Act   [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- PublicNewsService.org: PA Groups Urge US Senate To Protect Clean Energy Tax Incentives

-- PA Capital-Star: Shapiro’s Renewable Energy Plan Advances In PA House As President Keeps PA Fossil Fuel Plant Online 

-- The Center Square: PA Renewable Energy Proposal Clears PA House Environmental Panel

-- Post-Gazette - Ford Turner: PA House Committee Advances Bill Promoting Wind, Solar, Other Renewable Energy Sources 

-- Milton Standard-Journal: Abandoned Mine Pools Reimagined As Assets For Geothermal Energy, Other Uses

-- WHYY: PA Solar Installers Were Counting On Republican PA Cong. Fitzpatrick To Keep Federal Clean Energy Tax Credits; Some Feel ‘Abandoned’ By Republican Rollbacks

-- Williamsport Sun Letter: Senate Bill Setting Decommissioning Requirements For Solar Energy Facilities Misplaced Compared To Other Energy Sources - By Dan Alters

-- WHYY: Congressional Republican Budget Bill Would Slash PA Schools’ Savings From Planned Solar Energy Projects By Cutting Tax Credits

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Congressional Republican Budget Cuts Threaten America’s Clean Energy Future - By Stephen Herzenberg, Keystone Research Center

-- NYT: Electricity Prices Are Surging, The Republican Budget Bill Could Push Them Higher [Data Center Boom, Rising LNG Gas Exports, Cuts In Clean Energy Tax Breaks]

-- Financial Times: Texas Republicans Fail In Move To Curb Renewable Energy Projects: ‘Good Sense Prevailed’

[Posted: June 5, 2025]  PA Environment Digest