Once again, the Chamber of Business and Industry fails to live up to its name, working to protect only some industries, especially the fossil fuel industry, at the expense of other businesses and industries in the commonwealth.
HB 1580, also known as the Solar Jobs Bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Chris Ross of Chester County, would strengthen the emerging solar industry here in Pennsylvania. The proposed legislation would speed up market compliance to help maintain Pennsylvania’s solar industry while keeping the total amount of solar required by the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act the same.
Compared with the $2.9 billion per year of Pennsylvania taxpayer funding that goes toward mature and profitable fossil fuels, the bill will cost only pennies a month. I would certainly pay this tiny amount to support a Pennsylvania-made, secure, environmentally friendly form of electricity generation.
The solar industry also creates jobs, and more jobs mean increased tax revenues, reduced unemployment and greater consumer confidence in the economy. Solar-power generation helps businesses and residents lower energy costs and acts as a powerful hedge against volatile energy prices.
Thousands of Pennsylvania businesses and residents have invested in solar. Passing the Solar Jobs Bill means supporting Pennsylvania’s clean and low-cost energy future.
—Charles Reichner,
Heat Shed Inc.
Revere
