A bill that will help districts install solar panels has been ceremonially signed into law.
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill created by state Rep. Elizabeth Fielder during a Sept. 9 ceremony. The official signing took place in July. The law will help schools across the state generate their own energy and keep costs low for taxpayers. By generating their own energy, school districts can save millions of dollars over the life of a solar project, while creating jobs and reducing environmental impact.
“When I came into this job, I had spent a decade reporting in the city of Philadelphia,” Fiedler said. “I covered much of what makes Philly a wonderful place to live. But I also had a front-row seat to its injustices, like our underfunded public schools. I had a 3-month-old and a toddler when I ran for office. I didn’t know as much as I do now about Harrisburg, but I did know I wanted to help kids get money for their schools and to make sure we were handing off a livable planet for the next generation.”
According to officials, in Philadelphia alone, 63 schools closed during the first week of the school year due to inefficient cooling in extreme heat. Energy efficiency from on-site solar will help school districts lower high energy bills and redirect funds to students and staff, so they can make necessary updates to their infrastructure, like cooling equipment.
“In the past year alone, we’ve secured historic funding for public schools, passed Solar for Schools, and forged a new path forward for Pennsylvania,” Fiedler said. “I finally feel that after many years, we’ve built a coalition that can deliver wins for future generations, including right here in South Philadelphia. And that gives me hope.”
Fiedler was joined in Harrisburg at the signing ceremony by stakeholders who have advocated for the bill since its introduction in 2023. Shapiro congratulated the coalition on their successful effort.
“My administration is taking action to ensure Pennsylvania remains an energy leader, reduce the price of our electricity bills, and create more jobs and opportunities for our businesses to grow and our workers to get ahead,” the governor said. “The bipartisan Solar for Schools legislation that I signed into law will do all three by lowering energy bills for our schools and setting the stage for Pennsylvania to lead in a new industry that will reduce pollution while continuing to create good-paying jobs. Thanks to leaders like Rep. Fiedler, schools will be able to cut costs and put resources where they belong – in the classroom and into initiatives that create more opportunities for our students. My administration looks forward to continuing to work with leaders in both parties to secure Pennsylvania’s energy future and invest in our children’s future.”
The Department of Community and Economic Development has an Oct. 15 deadline to establish guidelines for the grant applications. The School District of Philadelphia and districts across Pennsylvania will then be able to apply.
According to research, energy is the second-highest cost for schools, behind staffing.
“Solar for Schools was the product of our initial brainstorms,” Fiedler said. “We knew we needed a bill that had potential to save schools money, deliver on clean energy, and create union jobs, all at once. I am so proud and so thankful that we’ve successfully passed it into law. It was no accident: the Blue-Green work is real, not talk, and this win is the product of hundreds of hours of work and organizing over a year and a half. But this win is the first of many. We have a long list of legislative priorities to accomplish.”
Shapiro thanked Fiedler for her efforts.
“Thanks to leaders like Rep. Fiedler, schools will be able to cut costs and put resources where they belong – in the classroom and into initiatives that create more opportunities for our students,” Shapiro said. “My administration looks forward to continuing to work with leaders in both parties to secure Pennsylvania’s energy future and invest in our children’s future.”
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