Maryland’s neighbor, Pennsylvania also makes the grade. Home Power magazine lists Pennsylvania in its Top Ten Solar States not so much for installed capacity, but for expanding renewable energy jobs. Home Power applauds Pennsylvania for going “far beyond other states to attract solar-related companies.”
In November 2004, when Pennsylvania passed its Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard, it was one of only five other states at the time that required a specific amount of its energy to come from the sun. Although a seemingly modest goal – half a percent by 2019 – Pennsylvania’s initiative was still the third largest of any state (after the sun-drenched states of Nevada and Colorado). Overall, Pennsylvania set a goal to meet 18 percent of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources by 2021.
In 2006, the state doubled its purchase of electricity from renewable energy sources to from 10 to 20 percent. By purchasing 200,000 megawatts of green energy to fuel the state government (20 percent of its needs), Governor Edward Rendell explained that Pennsylvania not only helps to keep electricity rates down, but also significantly boosts jobs with in the RE industry.
In March 2008, Pennsylvania state lawmakers were nearing final negotiations on energy legislation that would provide another strong boost to solar. Anticipating that a 10-year electricity rate cap set to expire in 2010 and 2011 may spike electricity rates as much as 30 percent, state lawmakers are devising plans to proactively address rate hikes. The proposed legislation provides state funding to further develop renewable energy infrastructure and offers incentives to utilities and ratepayers to seek out alternatives such as solar energy. If passed, the bill could allocate as much as $200 million to give manufacturers, homeowners, and businesses a mix of rebates to bolster demand for solar energy equipment and capacity to increase manufacturing.
Though solar energy systems alone are not responsible for Pennsylvania’s commitment to grow “green jobs” (wind, hydro, and – controversially – waste coal are included in the state’s portfolio as appropriate energy alternatives), the state has made steady progress toward increasing viable alternative energy projects throughout the state. Since 2003, Pennsylvania initiatives have helped create 3,000 green jobs.
Governor Rendell, addressing attendees at the recent Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania – March 14 – 15, 2008 - noted that world-leading RE companies had established operations in the state and that Pennsylvania was well poised to attract further industry growth as well. Let’s hope that commitment lives on. Growing networks of solar and other renewable energy infrastructure across the USA can and will significantly alter our resource portfolio and make for a cooler planet indeed.
