January 29, 2025
Washers of the State Washington have proposed a dual bill that makes it possible for the establishment of an extensive community program for the community.
Senator Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) and Rep. Adam Bernbaum (D-Port Townsend) introduced the Fair access to Community Zonnewet (SB 5515/HB 1598). The legislation would offer fair access to affordable, reliable, locally placed renewable energy for ratepayers of electric utilities in the state, in particular income qualified households, tenants and others who cannot install solar panels on their houses. Shewmake is chairman of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee.
“The fair access to Community Solar Act will not only help Washington State achieve its goals for clean energy consumptions, but it will also create family support jobs and grow the economy,” said Derek ChernowWestern director of the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA). “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. ”
In the United States, 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.
A recent study through the University of Washington Growing access to the community for the community in the state of Washington could yield substantial economic benefits, including almost $ 2 billion in economic output and thousands of new jobs. Currently, Washington is in 35th place In the nation for the total installed solar capacity.
Important provisions of the 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 for community zones that contain energy storage or are preferred locations, 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 billing system upgrades.
- With this, community developers in the community can use federal and national stimuli to maximize energy savings for Washingtonians.
- Requires regular reporting on program statistics of the program to 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 Rolphexecutive director of Olympia Community Solar. “A fair transition to clean energy must enable ordinary people to take advantage immediately. Community Solar 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 money, ”said Sara BirminghamVP of state affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (Seia).
The Study of the University of Washington concluded that the economic impact of the development of 500 MW to community projects of the Community for 10 years would generate $ 1.7 billion in contributions to Washington’s gross state, the equivalent of 1.652 full-time jobs annually Creating and $ 76 million in state tax produce profit.
Tags: community -zonne
