Important Legislation
Highlighting the most important environmental legislation under consideration in Harrisburg
Help the Clean Air Action Fund Hold Elected Officials Accountable
Learn more about key environmental bills in Pennsylvania, their impact, and how to take action.
Good Bills
2021-2022 Legislative Session
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What the bill does:
For one reason or another (they are renters, have shaded roofs, etc.), many people cannot put solar panels on their property. Community solar allows those people to purchase or lease a “share” in a community solar project and receive a credit on their monthly electricity bill for energy produced by that share. Right now, community solar is not allowed under Pennsylvania law, but HB 1555 would change that and allow over 230 community solar projects.
Why we support it:
Right now, only 0.5% of Pennsylvania’s electricity comes from solar energy, which is one of the lowest rates in the country. HB 1555 would go a long way toward unlocking the potential for solar development in Pennsylvania. And community solar isn’t just good for the climate, it’s good for Pennsylvania’s economy, and is one of the only ways low-income residents can afford to get solar energy. A Penn State study estimated that a bill authorizing community solar would add 12,000 jobs and $1.8 billion of investment to Pennsylvania’s economy.
What you can do:
While HB 1555 has bipartisan support, it’s been stuck in the General Assembly for nearly a year. Your voice could be very important to getting this bill over the top.
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What the bill does:
These bills would invest the hundreds of millions of dollars in proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative into specific programs that would help energy workers transition to non-fossil fuel jobs, provide assistance to ratepayers, and address pollution, particularly in environmental justice communities.
Why we support it:
All Pennsylvanians—including ratepayers and workers—can benefit from the energy transition in Pennsylvania. Bills like SB 15/HB 1565 will help ensure that happens by redistributing money from big polluters to programs that create jobs, support ratepayers, and improve public health.
What you can do:
These bills face a difficult road in the General Assembly, so your support is necessary to move them forward. Contact your legislator and urge them to support SB 15/HB 1565.
Bad Bills
2021-2022 Legislative Session
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What the bill does:
Currently, judicial gerrymandering is impossible in Pennsylvania because all appellate judges are elected statewide. HB 38 would amend Pennsylvania’s Constitution so that all appellate judges would be elected in districts drawn by the state legislature every 10 years. Currently, no other state in the country has adopted the framework for judicial elections proposed in HB 38.
Why we oppose it:
Pennsylvania’s appellate courts are crucial to protecting the environment, and HB 38 would seriously threaten their independence. HB 38 would undermine the separation of powers, politicize the judiciary, disenfranchise Pennsylvania voters, and encourage dark money in judicial races. For more information on why we oppose HB 38, see our blog post analyzing the bill.
What you can do:
While HB 38 could realistically pass, it faces bipartisan opposition, which means your voice can make a big difference. Please tell your legislator to oppose HB-38.
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What the bill does:
These bills would prohibit municipalities in Pennsylvania from adopting any policy that would have the “effect of” restricting utility service based on the type of energy source to be delivered. The purpose of the legislation is to prevent municipalities from banning fossil gas hookups in new buildings, a step that a number cities in the United States (though none in Pennsylvania) have taken in recent years.
Why we oppose it:
Although proponents refer to these bills as “energy choice” legislation, the reality is very different. The bills would prevent municipalities from even incentivizing the use of utility services that are safer, healthier, and better for the environment. Similar bad legislation is being pushed in states around the country by the fossil fuel industry. They see the writing on the wall: electrification is the future, and gas heating is the past. But the fossil fuel industry is using its army of lobbyists to delay the transition as long as possible, without any consideration for the climate, public health, or ratepayers.
What you can do:
These bills came very close to passing through the legislature with a veto-proof majority, and they are still looming. Please urge your legislators to oppose HB 1947/SB 275 .
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What the bill does:
This bill would create a task force to work towards making the Port of Philadelphia a liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminal, meaning it would store, process, and transport large amounts of volatile and dangerous fuels, including LNG itself into Philadelphia. The task force would consist of representatives from the General Assembly, the gas industry, PhilaPort, and the Philadelphia building trades.
Why we oppose it:
The task force would not include any representatives of the communities that would be impacted by a potential LNG terminal, let alone representatives from the environmental or public health groups. Those groups were left out for an obvious reason: an LNG terminal would pose a major threat to nearby communities. Additionally, an export terminal would take years to build and would do nothing to address the current spike in gas prices in Europe. Furthermore, LNG exports are a major driver of increased gas prices in the United States.
What you can do:
This bill is moving forward because it would be a boon for the gas industry, but its supporters have disingenuously portrayed it as a response to the war in Ukraine. To prevent this bill from gaining momentum, contact your legislator and urge them to oppose HB 2458.