IBEW Local 5 hosts Solar for Schools celebration in Pittsburgh
Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler September 6, 2024 | 10:25 AM
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 6 -- State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., joined state Reps. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, and other Allegheny County legislators Thursday to celebrate the recent passage of her Solar for Schools Act.
The event was hosted at the IBEW Local 5 Training Center. Speakers were welcomed by business manager Thomas McInytre.
Solar for Schools is a new state grant program designed to help school districts across Pennsylvania install solar panels on their grounds or roofs. By generating their own energy, districts can save millions of dollars over the life of a solar project—while creating good-paying jobs, reducing environmental impact, and helping keep costs low for taxpayers. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law on July 17.
“Creating solar energy at schools not only reduces the amount of tax dollars spent on utility bills, but also creates union jobs in the high-tech and rapidly growing renewable energy industry,” said Pisciottano. “Solar for Schools is supporting working families, the environment, and local economies here in southwestern Pennsylvania and across the state.”
“This is a win for taxpayers, a win for labor, and a win for the environment. I was proud to help shepherd this through the committee process and to help get it across the finish line,” said state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, chair of the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee.
“I am delighted to support the Solar for Schools program, which will benefit our students, our workers, and our environment. I’m so grateful for Representative Fiedler and all the organizers who pushed this bipartisan legislation over the finish line. I look forward to continued projects that deliver wins for all involved, and I can’t wait to see these Solar for Schools dollars go to use in districts across Pennsylvania.” said state Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny.
"I’m thankful for my colleagues in the western part of the state from both chambers for being strong advocates for Solar for Schools, and for IBEW Local 5 for hosting us at their training center today,” Fiedler said. “Solar arrays mean good jobs, and I can’t wait to see how our labor partners and teachers are able to take advantage of this exciting career learning opportunity!”
Broad support for the program from both environmental and labor partners was crucial to securing bipartisan support for the bill.
“By prioritizing schools in areas where coal plants have been decommissioned or will be decommissioned, this law will extend an economic lifeline to these communities. Not only will Solar for Schools help ensure the folks in these communities have access to jobs -- good paying union jobs -- it will help begin to transition of our economy to a more climate-friendly economy and ensure these communities do not have to worry about economic obsolescence in the future,” said Maurice Cobb, secretary/treasurer for the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.
“As Evangelicals, we believe in defending the health and well-being of our children. The Solar for Schools grant program does just this by creating a way for schools to minimize their emissions while reducing their energy costs for decades to come, allowing districts to invest money in ways that more closely benefit teachers and children,” said Kim Anderson, director of member mobilization of the Evangelical Environmental Network.
The state grant will cover up to 50% of solar projects for schools and can be paired with federal funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act, keeping costs to schools minimal and ensuring Pennsylvania is positioned to take advantage of federal funding.
“Solar for Schools will leverage the power of President Biden’s landmark climate bill to enable school districts across Pennsylvania to switch to solar power and is a foundational step for Pennsylvania to truly begin to harness the power of renewable energy. We’re thrilled to stand with Representative Elizabeth Fiedler, the prime sponsor of this legislation, who has worked tirelessly to demonstrate what’s possible when all sides can come together with a shared commitment to a brighter future for Pennsylvania,” said Adam Nagel, director of government affairs for PennFuture.
Schools in Pennsylvania are already taking advantage of career learning opportunities created by solar energy. Labor leaders who support the bill say it could create new apprenticeship programs in solar installation, preparing the next generation of workers for careers in one of the country’s fastest-growing industries.
“There is nothing that could give greater meaning to education than being part of the solution to our most serious problems. And there is nothing that ignites curiosity and joy in students more than participation and ownership in problem-solving that helps everyone. The Solar for Schools initiative does both,” said Billy Hileman, president of Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Local 400.
Thursday’s event was part of an ongoing Solar for Schools tour that aims to highlight energy and financial needs at schools, spread the word about the grant program, and ensure school districts are prepared to apply. The PA Department of Community and Economic Development has until Oct. 15 to establish application guidelines.