NEW JERSEY:
Conditionally vetoed by Gov. Christie, 3/3/2011:
A-2529, S-2306: The Bill, among other things, would add hydropower facilities to the definition of Class I Alternative Energy systems and also would require Board of Public Utilities (BPU) review, prior to connection to electric distribution systems, for all solar facilities greater than 10 megawatts in capacity that are not net metered or on site generation systems. Although Governor Christie is understood to support most of the key terms of the legislation, the veto is understood to have been due to a late amendment that carved out an exception to the BPU review requirement for any solar facilities that have received Federal Economic Stimulus grants.
Text of Bill
News story (NJ Biz) Amended and released from Senate Environment & Energy Committee, 2/14/2011; Reported from Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading, 2/17/2011:
S-2557: Authorizes local governments to license the use of, or sell in fee simple or as an easement interest, public roads within a municipality to connect a non-contiguous solar, wind, combined heat and power, or biomass generation facility with an end-use customer.
Text of Bill
Committee Statement
A-3806: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee, 2/17/2011:
Includes energy produced by certain geothermal heat pumps as class I renewable energy sources, which would enable customer-generators using geothermal heat pumps that meet NJDEP/BPU standards to obtain credit for electricity produced by their renewable system.
Text of Bill
PENNSYLVANIA:
Referred to Senate Finance Committee, 2/14/2011:
Senate Bill 525: Exclusions from Tax - The tax imposed by section 202 shall not be imposed upon any of the following:The sale at retail or use of a solar energy system or any component thereof that complies with applicable national and industry equipment, installation and performance standards.
Text of Bill
Referred to House Local Government Committee, 2/14/2011:
House Bill 675: No equipment used to generate solar electric energy, solar thermal hot water, heating or cooling...shall be included in determining the value of real estate for tax purposes.
Text of Bill
FEDERAL:
President's Energy Budget
U.S. Department of Energy news release, 2/14/2011
DOE announces $27 million in funding for cheap solar power initiative
U.S. Department of Energy news release, 2/4/2011
