Another in-person event took place in Western Pennsylvania, where supporters rallied in support of community-centered clean energy at the Homestead Steel Mill Stacks.
As one of the priorities in Gov. Shapiro’s Lightning Plan, this legislation will lower energy bills while allowing renters and those who are otherwise unable to access clean energy to participate in a shared project.
The legislation is to be introduced in the coming days by Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) and Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks).
“Community solar would allow thousands of Pennsylvanians, like me in the Lehigh Valley, and across the Commonwealth who do not have the property to handle solar panels to receive the benefits of clean energy,” said Rep. Peter Schweyer.
“By opening access to renewable energy, it will ease the amount of energy output on the utility grid, create thousands of good paying jobs right here in Pennsylvania and help to protect the environment. I applaud Governor Shapiro’s continued support for Community Solar and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it signed into law.”
`“There is a need for additional pathways such as community solar to unlock previously mined sites for development in often underserved coalfield communities,” said Bobby Hughes, Executive Director of the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, speaking at the statewide virtual kickoff for the day of action.
“Previously mined land sites are generally smaller and fragmented, with multiple landowners, and are not ideal for 100 acres-plus grid-scale projects.” The group recently released a statewide assessment report examining the potential for solar on active, abandoned, or reclaimed mine sites.
“This is more than an environmental issue—it is a moral imperative to protect lives from the devastating effects of pollution,” said Kerry Shakaboona Marshall, Executive Director of the Human Rights Coalition, a grassroots non-profit of currently and formerly incarcerated people, their families, and supporters.
“Renewable energy will cause an economic boom to rural counties that will drastically reduce reliance on the prison corrections industry for revenue, and instead will attract billions of dollars in investments to counties long neglected.”
“Community solar will grow Pennsylvania’s capacity to get energy from the sun, which will improve air quality and reduce our reliance on more polluting energy sources,” said Alice Lu, Policy Analyst at Clean Air Council.
“Solar panels do not emit carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, or other harmful air pollutants when they’re working. Yet they are still a reliable and affordable source of energy. Investing in community solar is essentially investing in new, clean energy jobs, clean air, and clean water, especially for communities that have historically been involved in energy production or have been most impacted by polluting industries.”
“Communities across Pennsylvania want access to local clean energy without upfront costs or home ownership requirements,” said Elowyn Corby, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director with Vote Solar Action Fund.
“We want more affordable energy bills, and family sustaining jobs, and environmental stewardship in the process. We look forward to working with partners and champions in the legislature, with local communities across the state, and with businesses and labor leaders to secure a people-first vision for community solar.”
"Our neighbors in New York, Maryland, NJ and Delaware all enjoy the benefits of community solar - creating businesses, helping the climate crisis and saving money for consumers," said Tom Hoffman, a member of Third Act PA's Coordinating Committee, a grassroots organization of Americans over 60 organizing to leave a better world for our children.
"Pennsylvania residents can't enjoy these benefits because the fossil fuel industry has blocked any such legislation. We are committed to activating our membership to show the legislature that residents in every county of PA support community solar."
Our Solar PA is a coalition of organizations that believe 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.
Related Articles This Week:
-- House Energy Committee Reports Out Bill To Unlock A State Freeze On $156 Million In Federal Funding For Solar For All Program [PaEN]
-- Guest Essay: Solar Power Can Propel Pennsylvania Towards Meeting Energy Demands - By Sharon Pillar, Pennsylvania Solar Center [PaEN]
-- PA Solar Center: Westmoreland County Businesses, Tax-Exempt Organizations Can Learn How to Save Money On Electric Bills At March 27 In-Person Meeting [PaEN]
-- City & State PA Hosts April 22 Energy Summit - The Future Of Energy In Pennsylvania [PaEN]
-- Community Advocates For Clean Energy To Introduce Green Schools Campaign In Southeast PA During April 1 Webinar [PaEN]
-- Pittsburgh Youth For Climate Action Summit Set For March 29 [PaEN]
-- Philadelphia Solar Energy Assn.: Solar Panel Recycling, Refurbishment Now Available In Philly Area [PaEN]
-- PennLive Guest Essay: Clean Energy, Strong Economy: PA’s Proposed Budget Seeks Both - By Fmr Rep. Kate Harper (R) and Fmr Cong. Conor Lamb (D), Energy Future PA
-- House Environmental Committee OK’d Bills Expanding C-PACE Financing For EV Charging; Study Lake Erie Renewable Energy; Promoting Invertebrate Biodiversity [PaEN]
-- Senate Environmental Committee Meets March 24 On Stream ‘Cleaning,’ Solar Energy Facility Decommissioning, Lake Erie Groin Fee Bills [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- The Allegheny Front: PA House Committee Takes First Step To Access Federal Low-Income Solar Funds
-- Warren Times Editorial: Solar Energy Has Benefits For Schools
[Posted: March 21, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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