Monday, October 3, 2011

Update from Harrisburg on Ross’s solar bill #1580

Maureen Mulligan - PASEIA

Far from an idle summer for solar, much work has been done by those of you who worked hard to get your House Member and others to co-sponsor Representative Chris Ross ’solar bill to shift the requirement to allow for more solar from 2013-2015 and close the borders to out of state projects paid for by Pennsylvania consumers. By July 4th, shortly after the legislature adjourned for the summer, we had 68 co-sponsors on his draft bill. As of this writing, there is what I believe to be a record number of co-sponsors, 100 strong! (If you are a PASEIA member and would like the current co-sponsor list, contact Ron Celentano at CelentanoR@aol.com). In order to get a bill passed in the House, 102 votes are needed. Assuming all the co-sponsors actually vote in favor of the Ross bill, only two additional votes are needed for it to move to the State Senate but it has to get through committee and onto the House floor for a vote first. It is important to note that we can’t assume that everyone who co-sponsors will automatically vote for the bill especially if the language changes from what legislators signed on to support. I expect it will be assigned to the Consumer Affairs Committee headed by Representative Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery). The list of members on this committee are shown below, along with their contact numbers.

Representative Ross plans to introduce the bill today – 10/3/2011. In addition, PASEIA is working with the Senate to introduce a companion bill. The Governor has scheduled an announcement for today on the Marcellus Shale impact fee so it will important to let legislators know it is important to move HB #1580 now since Marcellus Shale is the biggest energy issue for most legislators.

The best way to follow developments on HB#1580 is to check the PASEIA blog and your email for updates and actions. PASEIA members should make sure they have their passwords updated (RE: www.MSEIA.net website access) in case additional information and talking points are available on that part of the site. These bills will NOT get passed without strong and persistent public support. The opposition is already mounting to oppose the bill based on information that it will raise rates. This message can resonate with legislators. If we let the opposition’s numbers stand unchallenged, we will lose. Although it is very difficult to accurately predict the exact cost to make these modest changes to the solar portion of the AEPS, Ron Celentano and others have spent time attempting to quantify the price of SRECs if the bill passes. This average SREC price can be analyzed to assess average ratepayer impact. The impact may seem small to you but it is important to be sensitive to what ANY rate increase can have on Pennsylvanians. PASEIA’s projected rate impacts on PA customers from HB1580 will be presented soon.

It is important if you are in a solar business to tell your story, particularly as it relates to jobs. If you have a solar system, it is also important to talk about how the low SREC prices have or will affect the cost of your system. If you are a supporter of solar, it is important legislators know that solar is supported in Pennsylvania. Stay involved.

My opinion is that if HB #1580 doesn’t get passed by both Chambers (House and Senate) and is signed by the Governor by the end of the year, it will be too late to have real impact.

Below are the members on the Consumer Affairs Committee. We will put out the schedule of when House and Senate are currently scheduled to be in Harrisburg and by default, when they may be in their home districts. Contact them today.


CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Majority (Room 150 MC)

Godshall, Robert W. , Chair - 717-783-6428
Kampf, Warren , Secretary 717-260-6166
Ellis, Brian L., Subcommittee Chair on Telecommunications 717-787-7686
Kauffman, Rob W., Subcommittee Chair on Public Utilities 717-705-2004

Delozier, Sheryl M. 717-783-5282
DiGirolamo, Gene717-783-7319
Evans, John R. 717-772-9940
Farry, Frank A. 717-260-6140
Harhart, Julie 717-772-5398
Payne, John D. 717-787-2684
Perry, Scott 717-783-8783
Pickett, Tina 717-783-8238
Reichley, Douglas G 717-787-1000
Stephens, Todd 717-260-6163
Toepel, Marcy 717-787-9501

Minority (Room 202 IOB)

Preston, Joseph, Jr. , Democratic Chair 717-783-1017

Brennan, Joseph F. , Democratic Secretary 717-772-9902
Burns, Frank, Subcommittee Democratic Chair on Telecommunications 717-772-8056
DePasquale, Eugene, Subcommittee Democratic Chair on Public Utilities 717-787-7514

Barbin, Bryan 717-783-1491

Kotik, Nick 717-783-3780
Matzie, Robert F. 717-787-4444

Neuman, Brandon P. 717-783-4834
Parker, Cherelle L. 717-783-2078
White, Jesse 717-783-6347


Go to www.mseia.net to donate online to PA Campaign: Saving Solar in PA


Thank you.

Maureen Mulligan, PSEIA
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Update on Harrisburg – PASEIA Activities 9/15/2011

The legislature will return to Harrisburg after a summer hiatus. The state Senate returns on September 19th and the House on September 26th. Good work was accomplished over the summer as PASEIA continues to seek co-sponsors for Representative Chris Ross’s House bill #1580. I have never seen so many co-sponsors on a bill which bodes well for our efforts. There are 203 Members in the House (112 Republicans/91 Democrats) so a good rule of thumb is you need about 105 to pass a bill with a small margin for error. With 78 co-sponsors, we are well on our way and should be able to get the attention of the legislature during this short legislative session before they adjourn for the year. They are currently scheduled to be in session until December 14, 2011 but there are a few breaks for elections and holidays. There are currently 23 senate calendar days between now and Dec. 14 and 27 House calendar days for us to work to get the bill through both Houses and then signed by the Governor before the end of 2011. This is doable if we keep the pressure on and don’t lose votes.

Now is the time to get back to your House member and make sure they are solidly with us, thank them for co-sponsoring the Ross bill (assuming they have signed on) or conversely, try to get those that haven’t signed on to do so. Sometimes, when many of their colleagues sign on, they are more willing to add their names to the list. The latest co-sponsor list is available for PASEIA members (email Ron Celentano – CelentanoR@aol.com). The Senate seems to want to wait to see what the House does with the bill before introducing a companion version.

Despite our positive momentum over the last several months, there are large initiatives the legislature is likely to address such as Marcellus Shale impact fees, redistricting, and transportation among other priorities. We run the risk of getting lost in a crowded agenda if we don’t keep the pressure on. Please plan to spend some time keeping in touch with your legislature, following developments, making a trip or two to Harrisburg , sending letters to your local press supporting HB #1580 and financially supporting PASEIA’s work.

Go to www.mseia.net to donate online to PA Campaign: Saving Solar in PA

Thank you. Maureen Mulligan

Posted by at No comments:

Friday, July 8, 2011

Click here to:

_______________________________________________

Update from Harrisburg July 5, 2011

Pennsylvania passed its $27.149 state budget on time, the Governor signed it and now the legislature is recessed until mid-September. That doesn’t mean work stops on HB #1580, Representative Chris Ross’s bill to change the solar requirement and close Pennsylvania borders to out of state projects. The proposed House bill has a whopping 68 co-sponsors which should be enough to get the legislature’s attention in the fall session. Over the summer, it is important we firm up these co-sponsorships, check back with legislators who co-sponsored the bill, thank them and see if they have any advice on how to reach other legislators or have any questions. For those legislators who haven’t co-sponsored the bill, especially Republicans, it is time to meet with them in their district offices over the summer. The goal over the summer is to get additional co-sponsorships so we are well positioned for a positive fall vote. Summer is a good time to meet with both your House Member and Senators, or with Members where you have solar projects located or under development. PASEIA’s and MSEIA’s website is slowing getting up to date with materials and background information and Peter Olmsted from Vote Solar is working on building a coalition over the summer so we have a strong group to move our agenda. Enjoy the summer and please let us know how you make out with your visits.

Submitted by Maureen Mulligan
Government relations and lobbyist PASEIA


Posted by at 1 comment:

Monday, June 20, 2011

Click here to:

_______________________________________________

Update from Harrisburg June 16, 2011

Representative Chris Ross continues to seek co-sponsors for House bill #1580. The good news is we hit a whopping 66 co-sponsors yesterday and that’s a lot of persistent work on your part! Keep it up.

Please check it against the House members you are in touch with and see if your Representative or ones you have spoken with are listed and if not, please get back to them. If you are a PASEIA member, you can email paseia@mseia.net to request the updated co-sponsor list.


The legislative session will recess some time on or before June 30, 2011 and they are likely to pass the budget and pass a severance or impact fee on Marcellus Shale gas before they leave Harrisburg. There were about 325 people gathered in Harrisburg visiting legislators on the gas tax last week and I believe that effort has helped move the gas tax issue just as your efforts on May 24th and beyond has moved our solar issues. Once the budget is passed and the Marcellus Shale gas tax passed, I think we can get the legislature to move the Ross’s bill. It will be up to us to continue to seek co-sponsors to demonstrate to leadership and the Governor’s office that there is support for the Ross legislation.

We will need to work over the summer on building momentum for Fall passage which starts mid-September and usually runs to around Thanksgiving depending on what they are trying to accomplish before the end of the year. This gives us more time to expand our reaches to solar advocates, solar customers, supportive unions, students, business associations and anyone else we can get to support our legislative campaign. We will be working with Vote Solar’s Peter Olmsted to help expand on the “team leader” approach we established leading up to our May 24th lobby day. By working through a regional network, we can effectively work with interested solar businesses and advocates to continue to build awareness and work on “yes” votes for a swift Fall campaign.

We continue to get very strong press on our solar issue, particularly the Philadelphia Inquirer but other papers too. You can access these stories on this site, below. Over the summer, please try to get your local press to write articles and author letters to the editor which will serve to build awareness and keep the pressure on. Talking points, sample letters, press release and other materials are available on the site for your reference. In addition, Photon USA is doing a comprehensive story in their July edition of their magazine and several other solar trade magazines and on line services have covered the story.

Finally, these campaigns are expensive to run and are hard to finance with member dues alone. If you aren’t a PASEIA member or you or your customers would simply like to make a contribution without joining but want to stay informed, that information is also in the website and do so today if this victory is important to you.

Submitted by Maureen Mulligan
Government relations and lobbyist PASEIA


Recently Published Articles:

Allentown Morning Call
Published: June 12, 2011
Media: Op-Ed written by Ron Celentano
Title: “PA Proposal Would Boost Solar Business”
Central Pennsylvania Business Journal
Published: May 27, 2011
Media: Article written by Jason Scott
Title: “A Shadow Over Solar”
Philadelphia Inquirer
Published: May 24, 2011
Media: Article written by Andrew Maykuth
Title: “Pennsylvania’s Solar Industry Suffering from Success”
Published: May 30, 2011
Media: Editorial
Title: “Solar Makes Sense”
Published: May 31, 2011
Media: Op-Ed written Hal Marcovitz
Title: “Cloudy Day for Solar Homes”
Published: June 5, 2011
Media: Article written by Andrew Maykuth
Title: “Solar Energy Output is Outpacing PA Mandate”
Published: June 7, 2011
Media: Article written by Diane Mastrull
Title: “NewAge Industries Installs Rooftop Solar Energy System”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Published: May 24, 2011
Media: Article written by Laura Olson
Title: “State Not Using Available Solar Energy, State Rep Says”
Published: May 25, 2011
Media: Article written by Laura Olson
Title: “State Rep to PA Utilities: Buy More Solar Energy”
Pottstown Mercury
Published: June 11, 2011
Media: Op-Ed written by Ron Celentano
Title: “Now is the Time to Support Solar”
PV Magazine
Published: June 8, 2011
Media: Article written by Jonathan Gifford
Title: “Hershey’s Sweet PV Installation Soured by Poor Renewable Energy Generation Incentives”
Republican Herald
Published: June 1, 2011
Media: Editorial
Title: “Don’t Let Sun Set on PA Jobs”
Scranton Times-Tribune
Published: May 26, 2011
Media: Editorial
Title: “Don’t Let Sun Set on PA Jobs”
Published: June 12, 2011
Media: Article written by Eileen Godin
Title: “Fight for Solar Power Heats Up”




Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Action Item for Memorial Day week to advance solar in Pennsylvania

Please reach out to your area legislators, particularly the House members or ones you may have visited when in Harrisburg last week and take the following action:

 Call your House Member district office and talk to them over the phone about supporting HB #1580 (Ross). Better yet, set up a short meeting with your legislator in their district office this week. If you were in Harrisburg, this may be a brief follow up meeting. If you can take another solar business or a customer or two with you, all the better but not necessary. Legislators are often more able to spend time with you when they are in their district office but they may be more willing to accommodate you without a lot of notice if they think you will only take 15 minutes of their time, although often meetings will go longer. The legislators will likely be in their district offices all this week and they will return to Harrisburg June 6th. We are nearing the end of the legislative session before they break for the summer and we want to move the bill as far as possible before the break.

 One meeting with them will not get the job done.
It is important you follow up.
  • See if the Member has any questions or concerns about the legislation. Make a note of it.
  • Ask if they will be voting for the bill if it comes up. If not, find out why. We can design our responses around the "No Votes" to try to convince them to vote with us. A "no" can some times to turned into a "yes" although some will never change their minds.
  • Thank them for co-sponsoring if they have done so. We are now up to 39 co-sponsors. We had 30 before PASEIA's press conference and lobby day so your work paid off.
  • PASEIA is beginning to track "yes" "no" and "maybe" votes on a central spreadsheet. Please email your legislators response to Linda Johansson at ljohansson04@yahoo.com, so PASEIA can track where to expend our efforts that will be most effectively move our agenda.
  • If you call your Senator, remember that there isn't a Senate version of the bill at this point. We hope to have one soon and will let you know via these email blasts. If you call your Senator along with your House Member, remember to let them know you understand there is no senate version at this time, but you are calling to inform them of the SREC problem and let them know about HB 1580. Ask them if they are likely to support a bill that would help the solar industry weather this market change.
  • Don't forget to make use of PASEIA's talking points, Q&A, sample letters and other materials. We will be developing another letter that will look at impacts of Marcellus Shale on solar, revenues lost to the state if solar stalls etc.
Please don't put off taking action. Time is very short.
The legislature could recess after they pass the budget in
both the House and the Senate and it has already passed
the House on May 24th.

Regards,
Maureen Mulligan
PASEIA Lobbyist and Government Relations

For information about your House and Senate members: www.legis.state.pa.us

Please read recently published articles in:
Philadelphia Inquirer: PA Can Do More To Promote Solar Energy,
Solar Makes Sense, Cloudy Day For Solar Homes
Scranton Times: Don't Let Sun Set On PA Jobs
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: State Rep to PA Utilities: Buy More Solar
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, May 26, 2011

RECAP of May 24th successful lobby day

News from Maureen Mulligan,
PASEIA Government Relations and Lobbyist

May 25, 2011

Thanks to everyone who attended yesterday’s press conference and lobby day. We managed to cover all 253 House and Senate Members. (give or take one or two) From PASEIA’s point of view, it was an enormously successful event due to the efforts of the 92 solar business, 15 or more Harrisburg Area Community College students lead by Mike Barnes (I NEED SOLAR company), and the 3 or 4 dedicated individuals and businesses with solar systems that traveled to Harrisburg. Dozens of you spent the entire day to cover the 7 legislative visits we had scheduled later in the afternoon after a full morning visiting offices. Our regional team leaders from across the state were able to guide people both in attending our scheduled legislative meetings and our “ad hoc” regional office visits.

Brian Communications, the public relations firm PASEIA hired to reach out to the press is currently compiling all the coverage from the event. There were stories in the state’s two largest newspapers: the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. We have been contacted by national on line, local print media and a few radio stations. In fact, I’m doing a radio show at 10:30PM this Friday night. Brian Tierney, CEO of Brian Communications and his associates are beginning work on reaching out to newspaper editorial boards around the state. Contact your local newspapers, forward them the press release, and write your own letter to the editor.

The effort is beginning to pay off. We’ve added an impressive 8 more co-sponsors to our list. Representative Ross expects to send the final list to be printed at the end of this week. That gives us Thursday to get your House member to sign onto House Bill #1580. The Representatives who were added today include: Kotik, Frankel, Saylor, Mundy. Day, Harris, Boyle, and Hennessey. I would describe these additions as fairly evenly divided across the state. Call tomorrow to follow up on whether they will co-sponsor or not. The feedback I got at the end of the day indicated there are a few others who said they would but are not listed. PASEIA Co-Sponser List

Saving Solar in Pennsylvania Campaign

More to come….

Be sure to sign up with PASEIA to keep informed on developments and actions needed.
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, May 16, 2011

Help Save Solar Energy Jobs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Solar Energy Industries Association has invited Representative Chris Ross, chief House sponsor of new legislation to fix the solar renewable energy credits market in Pennsylvania,
to speak at a press conference launching his bill.

JOIN US ON TUESDAY, MAY 24TH AT 10:00 AM
at the State Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg for our
campaign launch, press conference and lobby day.

Legislative action is critical to sustain and help grow the solar industry in Pennsylvania. Without it, solar businesses may be forced to close, many planned solar projects will never get off the ground, and solar system owners will not see the full value of their investment. Your presence is crucial to help convey the necessity of this bill and ensure the survival of solar energy in Pennsylvania over the next few years.


Please RSVP to Linda Johansson via email at
ljohansson04@yahoo.com or by phone at 215-514-9823

We need to know if we can count on you
May 24, 2011.

Brian Communications (Brian Tierney) is assisting
PASEIA organize this key event
Posted by at 1 comment:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)