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Legislative & Regulatory
Update 
New Jersey
Bill Aiming to Stabilize Solar Market Sent to Gov. Christie
Passed by the Assembly, 6/25/2012 (68-4-5); Passed by the Senate, 5/31/2012 (23-8), Concur by Senate Amendments, 6/25/2012 (35-1):
S-1925: The bill would reduce the Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP), which electric suppliers may pay to meet solar requirements, and change the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) for energy derived from solar facilities, as well as introduce the concept of virtual net metering in certain circumstances for governmental entities. The changes to the SACP, together with the changes to the RPS, are intended to stabilize the Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) market in New Jersey.
Bill Information Page
Text of Bill (latest version)
Bill Would Boost Energy-Based Property Tax Relief Fund
And Extend "Poison Pill" Protection for Municipalities
Passed by the Assembly, 6/25/2012 (51-14-14). Passed by the Senate, 6/28/2012 (30-9):
A-2921: The bill would increase the distribution of State aid to municipalities from the "Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund" over a five-year period. The State recently reduced the amount of Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (CMPTRA) distributed to municipalities in Fiscal Years 2009, 2010, and 2011, and some municipalities also experienced reductions in Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid (ETR Aid). The bill provides supplemental funding for five years to restore approximately $331 million in CMPTRA and ETR Aid. In Fiscal Year 2013, municipalities would receive an aid increase equal to 20 percent of the difference between their total payment of CMPTRA and ETR Aid in Fiscal Year 2008 and Fiscal Year 2012, and equal increases in each of the following four fiscal years. The bill would also extend certain "poison pill" protections to the total formula aid provided to municipalities.
Text of Bill
Assembly Budget Committee Statement
Fiscal Estimate
Assembly Approves Solar Panel Fire Safety Measures;
Bill Goes to Senate Committee for Consideration
Passed by the Assembly, 6/21/2012 (79-0); Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee, 6/25/2012:
A-266 (Identical Bill S-507) (Last Session Bill Numbers: A-4288, S-3153): The bill would require a solar energy system affixed to any newly constructed or currently existing structure to be equipped with a device capable of disconnecting the system at a readily accessible location in close proximity to the meter on the exterior of the structure. It would also require identifying emblems on such structures to notify firefighters of solar panels.
Text of Bill
Senate Approves Incentives for Boat Manufacturers
To Make Transition to Renewable Energy Industry
Passed by the Senate, 6/21/2012, (37-0); Referred to Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, 6/21/2012:
S-1209: The legislation would make New Jersey boat manufacturers eligible to apply for any loan program offered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority that supports companies entering or expanding with the manufacturing stage of commercial development and that are manufacturing, or planning to manufacture, Class I renewable energy or energy efficiency systems, products, or technologies. In order for a boat manufacturer to be eligible for a loan, it must use the loan to manufacture Class I renewable energy or energy efficiency systems, products, or technologies.
Text of Bill
News release
Pennsylvania
Passed by House & Senate, Biodiesel Bill Goes to Governor
Approved by Senate, 6/19/2012 (48-0), and House, 6/21/2012 (188-3):
HB-807: The bill would amend the 2008 Biofuel Development and In-State Production Incentive Act, further providing for definitions, for biodiesel content in diesel fuel sold for on-road use and for cellulosic ethanol content in gasoline; providing for blending, registration and other requirements; further providing for department authority and responsibility; providing for fees; establishing the Biofuel Development Account; and imposing penalties for violating the Act.
Text of Bill
Fiscal Impact Statement (with explainer)
Delaware Bill Seeks Solar Benefits for Low-Income Residents Introduced and referred to Senate Energy & Transit Committee, 6/14/2012: Senate Bill No. 263: The "Low Income Solar Energy Act" would require electrical energy suppliers to include a yearly minimum percentage of electrical energy sales to be from solar facilities that provide electricity to low-income Delaware residents, to be known as Low-Income Solar Facilities (LISFs). The bill also specifically allocates Solar Renewable Energy Certificates to systems installed prior to Dec. 1, 2010, which had been precluded from the market. Text of Bill Text of Amendment (6/19/2012) Bill Information Page Under Legislation, Electricity Providers Could Count Energy Savings Toward Renewable Requirements
Introduced and referred to Senate Energy & Transit Committee, 6/19/2012: Senate Bill No. 264: The bill would amend Title 26 of the Delaware Code, which relates to energy efficiency and renewable energy portfolio standards, to permit electricity providers to utilize any electric energy efficiency savings beyond the existing goals of 15% by 2015 toward achieving their renewable energy portfolio standard requirements, establishing an alternative compliance pathway for complying with the goals of the Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS) Act. The Bill also eliminates energy providers' authority to impose an energy efficiency surcharge on customers. Text of Bill Bill Information Page | 
