On January 29, Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) and Rep. Adam Bernbaum (D-Port Townsend) announced the introduction of SB 5515/HB 1598, the Fair Access to Community Solar Act, a bill enabling the establishment of a comprehensive community solar program in Washington State. The legislation would provide equitable access to affordable, reliable, locally sited clean energy for electric utility ratepayers, particularly income-qualified households, renters and others who are not able to install solar panels on their homes. Senator Shewmake chairs the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee.
“The Fair Access to Community Solar Act will not only help Washington state meet its clean energy goals, but it will also create family-sustaining jobs and grow the economy,” said Derek Chernow, Western Director at the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA). “CCSA looks forward to adding Washington to the growing roster of states embracing community solar. We urge lawmakers to support and pass this bill without delay.”
Across the nation, 22 states and the District of Columbia have already adopted policies enabling community solar programs. Community solar allows anyone with an electric bill to benefit from affordable, locally generated solar power. Residents, businesses and other subscribers can tap into the energy generated from a nearby community solar installation and receive credits on their utility bills.
Key Provisions of the Fair Access to Community Solar Act:
- Establishes a competitive, statewide community solar program, allowing the development of projects up to 5 MW
- Offers incentives for community solar projects that incorporate energy storage or are located on preferred sites, such as rooftops, parking structures and landfills
- Requires at least 50% of community solar project capacity be provided to residential subscribers, with 30% reserved for low-income households or low-income service providers.
- Creates a community solar bill crediting program to ensure subscribers receive proportionate credits on their monthly utility bills
- Includes a mechanism to partially reimburse utilities for the cost of billing system upgrades
- Allows community solar developers to leverage federal and state incentives to maximize energy savings for Washingtonians
- Requires regular reporting on program performance metrics to the legislature
“This important legislation will help reduce high energy bills and ensure Washingtonians have access to affordable, clean energy,” said Mason Rolph, executive director of Olympia Community Solar. “An equitable transition to clean energy must allow regular people to directly benefit – community solar does that.”
One in five households in Washington spends more than 10% of their income on energy-related expenses, a burden disproportionately affecting lower-income residents.
“Passing the Fair Access to Community Solar Act would be a win-win: for the state’s economy, our grid, our environment, and ratepayers. By diversifying our energy sources and relying more on locally sited solar power, we can increase access to the clean energy people are demanding, create good jobs, bolster the grid’s reliability, and save customers money,” said Sara Birmingham, VP of state affairs at SEIA.
News item from the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)
