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Motion of the Council of Allegheny County urging the Pennsylvania Senate to pass House Bill 504, relating to community energy projects, with all deliberate speed.
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WHEREAS, community energy, a concept entailing the generation of electricity by community-based entities that are smaller than traditional electricity providers, has the potential to benefit a significant number of Pennsylvania families, as clean, renewable energy sources, like solar, geothermal and renewable natural gas help to reduce utility costs and lower the output on the electricity grid; and
WHEREAS, community energy has the potential to provide a mechanism for targeted clean, renewable energy projects for communities that want them, and in the process to save money and reap the grid benefits for individuals and other entities that subscribe; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania House Bill 504 (attached to this Motion), which was introduced on April 23, 2025 and passed by the House on May May 7, 2025, establishes a framework to allow communities to reap the benefits of clean, renewable energy more easily, but without disadvantaging ratepayers who choose not to opt in; and
WHEREAS, HB 504 would allow for the creation, financing, accessibility and operation of community renewable energy generating facilities in order to encourage development of community energy programs, in order to enable robust participation, while also encouraging participation in programs which will benefit low to moderate income customers and their communities; and
WHEREAS, growth in energy generation provides family-sustaining jobs and investments within Allegheny County and throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, programs for community energy generation provide customers with additional energy choices and access to affordable energy options as traditional energy costs continue to soar; and
WHEREAS, community energy programs provide customers, including homeowners, renters and businesses, access to the benefits of Pennsylvania community energy generation that is unconstrained by the physical attributes of their home, farm or business, including roof space, shading or ownership status; and
WHEREAS, local energy generation can contribute to a more resilient grid and defer the need for costly new transmission and distribution system investment;
The Council of the County of Allegheny therefore hereby moves as follows:
Allegheny County Council hereby urges the Pennsylvania Senate to pass House Bill 504, relating to community energy projects, with all deliberate speed.