Jun. 28, 2023
HARRISBURG- An amendment authored by Rep. Eric Davanzo (R-Westmoreland) to require the use of American-made products in solar energy projects at Pennsylvania schools was included in legislation that passed the House today.
House Bill 1032 creates the Pennsylvania Solar for Schools Grant Program, which will provide financial assistance to schools to fund solar energy projects.
“Solar energy may or may not be the next big thing in energy savings. But if schools do pursue a solar project, they should be doing so with products assembled right here in our back yards,” said Davanzo. “Too often, American-owned companies and the American workers are left out of the conversation.”
If enacted, the program will make grants available to school districts, intermediate units, career and technical schools, and community colleges to fund solar energy projects. Administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, funds will be available for equipment, permit fees, energy storage and utility interconnection.
The legislation aims to help schools, as well as their taxpayers, mitigate the rising cost of electricity, which is undoubtedly impacted by the previous administration’s executive order to enroll Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
“Entering RGGI was a slap in the face to the workers who operate our power plants as well as to the workforce in every other industry. It now costs more to create American goods and costs more for families to heat their homes and turn on their lights,” Davanzo said. “If there is some kind of solar energy boom, my amendment makes sure that American workers and American manufacturing can benefit by it.”
House Bill 1032 is pending third consideration in the House before heading to the Senate.
The 58th Legislative District includes the City of Monessen and the townships of East Huntingdon, Mount Pleasant (part), North Huntingdon (part), Rostraver, Sewickley and South Huntingdon and the boroughs of Hunker, Madison, Mount Pleasant, North Belle Vernon, Scottdale, Smithton, Sutersville and West Newton.
Representative Eric Davanzo
58th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives