Senator Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) and Rep. Adam Bernbaum (D-Port Townsend) the introduction of Van van van van SB 5515/HB 1598, The Fair Access to Community Solar ActA bill that makes the establishment of an extensive community program in Washington in the state of Washington possible. The legislation would offer fair access to affordable, reliable, locally placed clean energy for Ratepayers of electrical utility, in particular income qualified households, tenants and others who cannot install solar panels on their houses. Senator Shewmake is chairman of the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee.
“The honest access to Community Solar Act will not only help Washington State to achieve its clean energy goals, but it will also create family support jobs and grow the economy”). “CCSA is looking forward to adding Washington to the growing roster of states that embrace community division. With legislators we urge this bill without supporting and passing on delay. “
Across the country, 22 states and the District of Columbia have already adopted policy that makes community programs possible for the community. Community Solar enables everyone with an electricity bill to take advantage of affordable, locally generated solar energy. Residents, companies and other subscribers can use the energy generated by a nearby community installation in the community and receive credits on their utility accounts.
Main provisions of fair access to Community Solar Act:
- Draws up a competitive, state health solar program, so that projects up to 5 MW can be developed
- Offers stimuli for community projects with community storage that are at the energy storage or are preferred places, such as roofs, parking structures and landfills
- Requires that at least 50% of the capacity of the community on the solar project is provided to residential subscribers, where 30% is reserved for households with a low income or a low income.
- Creates a community Solar Bill Credit program to ensure that subscribers receive proportionate credits on their monthly utility accounts
- Contains a mechanism for partially reimbursing utilities for the costs of the billing system upgrades
- With this, community developers in the community can use federal and national stimuli to maximize energy saving for Washingtonians
- Requires regular reporting on program performance of the Program for the Legislative Power
“This important legislation will help to reduce high energy bills and ensure that Washingtonians have access to affordable, clean energy,” said Mason Rolph, executive director of Olympia Community Solar. “A fair transition to clean energy must benefit regular people directly -Community -Zonne -Zon does that.”
One in five households in Washington spends more than 10% of their income on energy -related costs, a burden that disproportionately affects the residents of the lower income.
“The goods of fair access to the community of the community would be a win-win: for the state of the state, our schedule, our environment and ratepayers. By diversifying our energy sources and relying more on locally placed solar energy, we can increase access to the clean energy that people demand, create good jobs, strengthen the reliability of the schedule and save customers money, ”said Sara Birmingham, VP from state affairs at SEIA.
News item from the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)
