HARRISBURG, Pa. – Environmentalists say a bill passed by the state Senate could increase pollution and raise electricity prices.

Senate Bill 805 would allow large commercial and industrial power customers to opt out of energy efficiency programs required by state law.

According to Tom Schuster, senior campaign representative for the Sierra Club, allowing those large users to stop participating could significantly reduce the gains that have been made in energy efficiency.

"And therefore we'd see more pollution, more climate disruption as it results in more generation of energy that will ultimately be wasted," he asserts.

Some large electricity consumers say the efficiency programs, which add a small surcharge to electric rates, aren't suitable for them and don't help them save energy.

But Schuster points out that commercial and industrial users consume one-third of the electricity used in the state. He warns that letting them opt out of the program would be a critical loss that couldn't be made up elsewhere.

"In our view, a better solution would be to work with the utilities and have them offer more customized programs that actually work for those companies," he states.

Schuster adds that, since the energy efficiency requirements began in 2009, they have saved ratepayers $2 for every $1 invested.

The bill has been referred to the House Consumer Affairs Committee, which has no more meetings scheduled this year, so the clock may run out on this legislative session.

But Schuster says that doesn't mean the bill is off the table.

"We do expect that it will get reintroduced next year, and that we're going to have to continue our advocacy to make sure that we are doing as much as we can to reduce energy waste in Pennsylvania," he states.

Gov. Tom Wolf has said he opposes the bill.



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North Dakota lags behind other states in advancing large-scale solar projects. If additional development does gain steam as it has elsewhere in the Midwest, new data could provide clarity to a key point of debate.

Gilbert Michaud, assistant professor of environmental policy at Loyola University and the report's co-author, said he has been around the region and attended local government meetings considering solar farms. He noted his team has combed through public comment records and the effect on property values tops the list of concerns brought up by attendees.

With renewable energy sources gaining a stronger foothold, he suggested it is not surprising people want to be engaged in what's happening.

"As more people learn about utility-scale solar and large-scale renewable energy development, they inherently have a lot more questions," Michaud observed.

As for the property value debate, Michaud's research of 70 utility-scale solar projects in the Midwest shows they did not hurt surrounding values but rather had a minor positive effect. He acknowledged solar farms are not a major property value force compared with traditional factors, such as renovations. But he pointed out as more of them surface, they are going to have broader ripple effects on local economies.

With wind and solar development now dotting more rural landscapes, analysts said misinformation often finds its way into local ordinance meetings and public comment sessions. Michaud hopes his findings and other emerging research provide stakeholders with accurate data to help them make an informed decision, as opposed to leaning on anecdotal arguments.

"'I think this' or 'I saw this' or 'I heard this from my neighbor at the gas station,'" Michaud outlined. "We're sort of taking that to the next level and saying, 'OK, let's look at all these big solar projects across the entire region and actually look at what the data is suggesting to us.'"

In 2019, North Dakota approved its first commercial solar farm and lawmakers tinkered with changes to regulations dealing with prime farmland and restrictions for such projects. However, the state is still among the top crude oil producers in the nation. And when it comes to renewables, it has prioritized wind energy over solar.


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Electric vehicles are considered one solution for a cleaner environment and Indiana has just over 26,000 EVs already on the road.

Energy officials are hoping tax credits will help more drivers make the switch. The U.S. Treasury Department is taking comments through mid-November on a proposed tax credit for electric vehicle owners. It would clarify who can get a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of installing EV charging stations and other "clean fuel" infrastructure.

Sam Carpenter, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, said if someone has a charger in their garage, they are in good shape but he knows it is not the reality for all motorists and he pointed out one state agency is doing something about it.

"Recently, INDOT announced an $100 million investment for charging in 39 sites, as part of the federally funded National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, the NEVI program," Carpenter explained. "That's going to do a lot to create more charger availability."

The Treasury Department guidance said more EVs would lower transportation costs and increase energy security by making cleaner vehicles more affordable. Carpenter noted another bonus from the program is the Justice 40 Initiative. Disadvantaged and marginalized communities will receive 40% of the benefits of federal climate, clean energy, affordable housing and other investments.

Drivers thinking about buying an electric vehicle are eyeing the price tag, plus insurance and maintenance costs. The IRS proposal could mean a tax credit of up to $1,000 dollars for individuals, and nearly $100,000 for businesses.

"I think it's a good thing," Carpenter stated. "There is considerable savings for consumers in their maintenance and fuel costs over the 15-year life span. One of the things with Hoosier Environmental Council that we're excited about is the clean air impacts, the air quality that's going to improve and of course, that also reduces greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change."

The U.S. Department of Energy lists 10 additional tax incentives by Indiana utility companies for EV chargers.

Environmental groups in Minnesota are considering their next steps on the heels of a regulatory decision they said weakens the state's landmark carbon-free electricity law.

Late last week, the Public Utilities Commission clarified which technologies should be in the mix, as energy providers try to meet the requirement of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. The commission opened the door to allowing biomass -- namely the burning of wood -- and trash incineration to count as clean sources.

Barbara Freese climate program attorney at the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, said it is troubling the commission did not rule biomass options out.

"The law clearly said that to be carbon free, a generating source has to generate without emitting carbon dioxide," Freese pointed out. "These two sources of electricity, solid waste and biomass, emit tremendous amounts of carbon dioxide."

But utilities like Minnesota Power prioritize biomass as a form of renewable energy, with supporters arguing it is better to burn wood scraps from the logging industry than let it decompose. They argued it creates other carbon dioxide issues, and a carbon-neutral approach helps carry out the mission of the law. The commission decided more analysis is needed to get a clearer picture of the eligibility of these sources.

Despite the outcome, Minnesota's carbon-free requirement is not going away as the state added renewables like wind and solar. Freese expressed concern about what lies ahead.

"We can't be confident that the wording of the law will be accurately enforced," Freese contended. "And that is very troubling because there's going to be a lot of pressure to try to weaken this law."

She suggested pressure will not end with last week's decision. The law provides "offramps" for utilities struggling to meet the standard if clean-energy technologies are too costly or hinder grid reliability. And there is a push in the Midwest region to approve carbon-capture projects, with skeptics arguing some proposals are too large-scale and have yet to prove their effectiveness.


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