The location was chosen to showcase a clean energy victory: Exeter School District’s newly approved solar project is projected to save local taxpayers more than $10 million over the next 30 years by generating 40% of the electricity needed for seven district buildings and its transportation garage.
Speakers used the school’s success to illustrate the immense, untapped potential of House Bill 1260, the solar-ready warehouses bill.
The legislation aims to scale this exact model across Pennsylvania’s booming logistics corridor by requiring new commercial warehouses to be built ready for solar energy and helping install solar fields on existing warehouses.
Proponents argue the bill is a vital weapon against the Commonwealth’s current energy affordability crisis, bringing cheap, locally produced electricity online rapidly to lower skyrocketing utility bills for working families and businesses alike.
A Proven Blueprint Stalled
While the Solar for Schools Program has successfully allowed school districts to lower costs while creating union jobs, House Bill 1260 has stalled in Harrisburg.
While House Bill 1260 passed the state House with strong Democratic support, it has stalled in the state Senate.
This impasse mirrors the situation with several other bills that are designed to boost union jobs and lower energy costs but that have been blocked by the Senate.
With demand for energy skyrocketing, continued delay only brings costs for working families and local businesses higher.
The press conference came a day after the Keystone Research Center released a report showing that the legislation could create enough clean electricity to power nearly 1 million homes.
Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock (D-Berks), Prime Sponsor of House Bill 1260, said-- “Pennsylvania is one of the logistics capitals of the country, meaning we have millions of square feet of empty warehouse roofs sitting under the sun doing absolutely nothing.
“House Bill1260 is the definition of common-sense, low-hanging fruit.
“Solar is the cheapest form of electricity we have, and by fully utilizing this commercial real estate, we have the potential to generate enough local power for 1 million homes-- that’s more than a traditional nuclear power plant.
“The House did its job and passed this bill. It is time for the Senate to deliver this direct financial relief to working families across our Commonwealth.”
Dr. Christy Haller, Superintendent, Exeter School District, said-- “With utility prices rising quickly, schools need real solutions to reduce operating costs. Here at Exeter, our solar project is allowing us to avoid skyrocketing electricity costs and invest more taxpayer dollars directly into student learning and our teachers rather than utility bills.
“The Solar for Schools program has been a game-changer, demonstrating that green infrastructure protects the taxpayers' dime.
“This is a model that works, and it’s exactly what we should be doing across the commercial sector to support our local economies.”
Molly Parzen, Executive Director, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, said-- “True partnership is the key to building economic vitality while tackling our affordability crisis.
“House Bill 1260 builds off the successful Solar for Schools model and represents a win-win-win: it cleans the air we breathe, creates local union jobs and lowers the skyrocketing electricity bills squeezing families.
“Solar energy can be brought online in just one year-- compared to dirty fossil fuel plants that take five years to construct.
“We can no longer allow Senate gridlock to prevent us from enacting common-sense programs that protect our environment and help struggling families thrive.”
Rob Bair, President, Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council, said-- “For too long, working people have been fed a false narrative that you have to choose between a good job and a clean environment.
“This bill proves that a strong environmental agenda is, by definition, a pro-worker agenda. The clean energy transition must be powered by skilled union labor in family-sustaining jobs.
“By making warehouses solar-ready, we are expanding opportunities for local union workers to build clean energy right here in Pennsylvania, securing our energy independence while putting food on their table.”
The Cost of Inaction
Advocates emphasized that Pennsylvania can no longer afford to lag behind, noting that the commonwealth currently ranks 49th in the nation for renewable energy growth.
By leaving commercial rooftops empty, Pennsylvania is losing ground to states like Texas, which leads the nation in both fossil fuels and renewable energy deployment.
The coalition concluded the event with a unified call to action, urging Pennsylvania residents to contact their state senators to demand that House Bill 1260 be brought to the Senate floor for an immediate vote.
Click Here for a video of the event.
(Photo: Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock kicks off the press conference.)
Related Articles This Week:
-- RegenAll And Chestnut Housing Partner To Improve Energy Efficiency Of Affordable Housing Units In Lancaster [PaEN]
-- Green Building Alliance, Resilient Reading Host July 14 Behind-The-Scenes Tour Highlighting Redevelopment Of The Reading Bank Building Into Energy Efficient Housing, Retail Space [PaEN]
-- PA Solar Center Hosts July 31 Webinar On Going Solar Without Tax Incentives - Financing For Public Entities To Stabilize, Cut Your Energy Bills [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Penn State Extension: How A.I. Data Centers Are Driving Up Residential Electricity Bills
-- Reuters: A.I. Data Centers Driving Up Power Bills At America’s Rust Belt Factories [PA Included]
-- Utility Dive: States Taking Action On Energy Affordability As Issue Grows; Report On 350 Affordability Actions Taken This Year
-- LancasterOnline: Turkey Hill Dairy Wind Turbines Bold Reminder Of Green Energy Commitment
-- Utility Dive Guest Essay: The PJM Market Is Working - Don’t Mistake Progress For Failure - By Todd Snitchler, Electric Power Supply Assn. (competitive electric generators believe high prices are working)
-- Reuters Column: Killing Wind And Solar Energy Subsidies Will Make US Electricity More Expensive - By Gavin Maguire
-- Inside Climate News: President Wants To Fast Track A.I., Plans For More Than 70 Gas-Fired Power Plants To Serve Data Centers
[Posted: July 10, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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