The Daily Item
August 30, 2024
A recent study by the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center showed that Pennsylvania ranked 50th out of 50 states for growth in new renewable energy being bought online over the past decade. Currently, only about 4% of the electricity produced in Pennsylvania comes from renewable sources. The rest comes from fossil fuels and nuclear power.
Pennsylvanians are regularly experiencing the negative effects of climate change, including oppressive heat that triggers asthma attacks and leads to school closures and the spread of invasive species that put our agriculture at risk.
Our metro areas have some of the worst air quality in the country. We can and must do better.
The good news is that our legislators, in a bipartisan vote, recently passed House Bill 1032. This bill brings federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to incentivize solar energy adoption through an investment from the state. Thanks to this bill, a grant program will soon open up that will help PA schools go solar, lower their climate pollution, and save on expensive energy bills.
Solar for Pennsylvania Schools is a positive step toward a clean air future, so I was disappointed, but not surprised, to learn that Representative David Rowe voted against HB1032.
Let’s see — save millions of dollars, produce clean energy, lower air pollution, and show our students that Pennsylvania cares about our climate. What is your problem with Solar For PA Schools, David Rowe? Why would you vote against it?
Pennsylvania emits the fourth highest amount of climate pollution in the country.
Our elected officials must support reliable, sustainable, clean energy. It’s critically important that we cap dangerous carbon emissions from the biggest power producers while expanding our use of clean, renewable energy.
Maggie Waggoner
Lewisburg