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Legislative & Regulatory Update 
Pennsylvania
Bill Would Increase Solar Renewable Energy Credits, Require In-State Distribution
Introduced in the House of Representatives 10/3/2011, awaiting Speaker's referral to committee:
HB-1580: The bill would increase the percentage of solar energy share that must be purchased by utilities for the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15, to bring the demand for Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) back in line with expected supply, which has outstripped demand. The bill would also require future registration of solar installations to be restricted to those tied to Pennsylvania's distribution network.
Text of Bill
New Jersey
BPU Schedules Energy Master Plan Public Hearings
on Recommendations
The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has scheduled a series of public hearings on recommendations from four working groups the Board established to address topics found in the 2011 Draft Energy Master Plan: Clean Energy Funding, Alternatively Fueled Vehicles, Innovative Technologies and Biomass. The working groups comprise subject matter experts from various industries, academia and organizations. The hearings will be held at the Rutgers University Eco Complex Auditorium, 1200 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, on Oct. 21, Nov. 1, Nov. 7 and Nov. 10. Each hearing addresses one working groups' recommendations. The recommendations from all four working groups will be posted on the EMP website.
Hearing Notice
Green Jobs Education Bill Passes Senate, Awaits Governor's Signature
Passed by the Senate, 9/26/2011 (38-0):
S-1648 (Identical Bill A-1098 passed by Assembly 2/25/2010, 76-0): The legislation would authorize county colleges and county vocational school districts to establish green job certification programs. Schools would be authorized to enter into a partnership with one or more private entities to develop and establish a green jobs certification program. Under the program, the school shall identify needed skills, develop training programs, and train workers for green jobs in one or more industries including, but not limited to, energy efficient building, construction and retrofits, renewable electric power, energy efficient vehicles, biofuels, and manufacturing that produces sustainable products and uses sustainable processes and materials.
Text of Bill
Bill to Expand Solar Renewable Energy Credit Eligibility Advances
Reported from Senate Environment and Energy Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading, 9/19/2011:
S-2942: The bill, if adopted, provides that solar facilities that are either net metering the customer's side of the meter, regardless of the voltage at which the customer connects to the electric grid, or directly connected to the electric grid at 69 kilovolts or less, shall be considered "connected to the distribution system" and thus eligible for the issuance of solar renewable energy certificates ("SRECs"). The bill further provides that if a proposed solar facility does not commence commercial operations within two years following the BPU's designation of the facility as "connected to the distribution system," then that designation shall be deemed null and void and the facility shall thereafter be considered as not "connected to the distribution system." The committee amendments add the provision that allows for a facility that is connected to the net metering customer's side of the meter to be considered "connected to the distribution system."
Text of Bill
Committee Statement, 9/19/2011
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