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WHEREAS, while much of the discussion over Pennsylvania's energy resources tends to focus on natural gas and the controversies associated with hydraulic fracturing, we have abundant renewable natural resources as well; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's solar industry has experienced rapid growth in the past several years, creating more than 6,500 jobs and leading to the installation of 104 megawatts of generation capacity, enough to power more than 11,000 homes; and
WHEREAS, while the growth in this industry is encouraging, we must do more to ensure that these jobs stay in Pennsylvania and create a regulatory environment that supports a growing, innovative solar energy market; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania House Bill 1580, introduced by Representative Chris Ross and co-sponsored by more than 80 members, seeks to amend the 2004 Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, which mandates that at least 0.5 percent of the energy sold in Pennsylvania be produced by solar power by 2021; and
WHEREAS, due to the rapid growth of the solar industry in the state we have far exceeded the estimates, driving the price of solar renewable energy credits down and making it harder for state solar companies to fund new projects and hire new workers; and
WHEREAS, the bill would bring solar energy requirements into line with the rapid growth in the industry and prevent utilities from purchasing credits from other states, keeping Pennsylvania's solar industry strong and its workers on the job.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby support House Bill 1580 and a strong, innovative solar energy market for the state of Pennsylvania.