Action on (HB362) Anticipated the Week of March 17th

The PA House Energy Committee is scheduled to meet at 11:00 AM on March 17, 2025, in Room 515 of the Irvis Office Building. Two items of legislation will be before the Committee: HB660, PN620 (O’Mara) – Establishes energy efficiency and water conservation standards for certain appliances sold in Pennsylvania which do not currently fall under other state or federal standards AND HB362, PN375 (Fiedler) to authorizes the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) to distribute federal funding for the Pennsylvania Solar for All Program.

The “Solar for All” legislation was noted in the February edition of the DRUMMER. It is now time for chapters to act to help move this legislation forward. The reason for the bill is being brought forward now due to language inserted into the fiscal code during budget negotiations last year. It mandated that legislative approval for the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) is necessary to use the federal funds “Solar for All” was awarded in the Federal grant. The $156 million in funds allocated for “Solar for All” were awarded under the Inflation Reduction Act and are already under contract. However, legislative approval is needed for PEDA to initiate the program. The committee vote is expected on Monday, March 17. It may then move to the floor as soon as Wednesday March 19, and then on Final passage Monday, March 24. Monday’s Committee Meeting is expected to be live streamed here:

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus | Live Stream

We need our chapters to reach out to members of the PA House Energy Committee who represent all, or part, of your chapter territory. Let them know that opportunities to expand solar energy is important to birds and wildlife! This legislation is habitat friendly as it places solar on rooftops. Action on solar also helps to address climate change, an issue critical to birds, wildlife, AND PEOPLE. Reach out ASAP by telephone, email, or in person at the district office to deliver your message. Underscore if you are a constituent and a member of the Audubon Chapter in their district as well! Here is more background and information you can share with your state representative:

• In April 2024, PEDA was awarded $156 million for a low-income residential solar installation program. Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, $7 billion was appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for administering a Solar for All Program, which awarded grants to 60 total recipients. As such, Pennsylvania was awarded this federal funding to establish a Solar for All Program for the development and deployment of residential-serving solar, storage, and enabling upgrades in low-income and disadvantaged communities in PA.
• Under Act 176 of 1929 (Fiscal Code), Section 1724-H (Department of Environmental Protection), PA law requires all federal money appropriated by IRA for Solar for All to be first authorized by state law before it can be expended. Therefore, HB 362 would act as the authorizing statute for PEDA to access this federal funding.
• The Solar for All Program is an opportunity to bring long-term energy affordability to low- income households, transition Pennsylvania to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, support local economies, and develop a job-creating solar market in communities throughout the Commonwealth.
• A PA Solar for All program would be fully funded with federal Inflation Reduction Act funds. No state appropriation is necessary to create and run the program.

If HB 362 is enacted, PEDA anticipates that Pennsylvania will see the following results within the first five years of the Solar for All Program:

• 12,555 households will have solar installations, including 5,020 households that will receive upgrades, such as roof repairs enabling them to participate, and 480 households that will receive storage systems.
• $101,782,698 total saved by PA households.
• $375 annual savings per household.
• 63 megawatts of new solar capacity installed.
• 92,601 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions avoided, with 1.3 million metric tons avoided over 20 years.
• 1,000 workers graduated from green energy-related training programs.
• An even more robust solar energy industry in PA, which already employs over 4,000 people.

Here is a listing of the members of the PA House Energy Committee who are your key contacts. Use the Find My Rep tool here to locate their District and contact information!

Republicans:
Representative Chair Martin Causer
Representative Mike Armanini
Representative Jamie Barton
Representative Bud Cook
Representative Joe Hamm
Representative Joshua Kail
Representative Dallas Kephart
Representative Natalie Mihalek
Representative Kathy Rapp
Representative Perry Stambaugh
Representative Ryan Warner
Representative Craig Williams