Current Actions
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Take action to support more solar jobs in New York!
Summer is nearly here, and we’re urging Albany to put more of that New York sunshine to work! It’s time to show lawmakers that solar power is a priority for New Yorkers.
The bi-partisan New York Solar Jobs Act is making its way through Albany and its passage would mean gigawatts-worth of new solar development, thousands of green jobs and billions in local economic output. But naysayers are doing all they can to derail the bill. It's time to show lawmakers that you support a brighter energy future in New York!
Complete the form below and tell lawmakers in Albany to pass the New York Solar Jobs Act soon! In this fight, there’s nothing as powerful as the voices of real New Yorkers!
Be sure to personalize the email by telling your representatives why solar energy is important to you. Every message is important but personal stories have the greatest impact! -
Help pass H. 3346 for more solar in South Carolina!
A new bill in the legislature would provide a first-of-its-kind tax credit for in-state solar energy investments. An amendment to the South Carolina Jobs Creation Bill (H. 3346) would provide a 35% tax credit for solar energy capital investments made in the state, which would help create new jobs in construction, engineering, manufacturing and other fields. Solar is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country and it’s time South Carolina tapped in; this bill can help make that happen.
Follow the instructions below to send a message to your state legislators and tell them that you support H.3346 for South Carolina solar jobs!
Be sure to personalize the suggested message and let your representative or senator know why solar energy is important to you. Every message helps but telling your story will have the greatest impact!
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Support the Solar Rollover!
A game-changing solar vote is happening at the California Public Utilities Commission. They're deciding how much customer-owned renewable energy is allowed to get the bill saving benefits of net metering. This statewide clean energy credit program has empowered over 100,000 solar energy systems to be installed on homes, businesses, schools, libraries and other buildings around the state. The Commission has proposed allowing for more homeowner solar-- and some utilities are trying their best to restrict continued access to it.
Let’s make sure our state’s solar energy customers continue to get fair credit where it’s due.
Net metering works like solar rollover minutes, with customers receiving credits on their bills for the valuable clean power they put back on the grid. There is a cap on the amount of net metering that must be made available to customers – beyond that cap, there’s no guarantee that utilities will continue to allow new solar customers to net meter. California’s law sets the cap at “5 percent of aggregate customer peak demand,” but does not specify how utilities should calculate that number. And guess what . . . some utilities are using a more restrictive methodology that results in almost half the amount of net metering than the original law intended. Not good.
Which brings us back to the CPUC: The state regulators have proposed requiring utilities to use the cap calculation methodology that results in more Californians having access to net metering credits. Now we just need them to approve that proposal with a resounding YES.
Complete the form below to help save solar rollover in California! -
TenneSEIA Test Action
This is the action description field. You should use this field to explain the action, including timing and what specifically you need your members/supporters to do. At SEIA, this is typically very similar to the email we send to our supporters.
We also use this field to remind supporters to personalize their email message to legislators.
You can include hyperlinks, images or other web content using the editing tools above.
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SEIA Petition Test for Development Site
A brief description of the petition, including a deadline.
This section also includes any specific instructions, such as "organizational signatories only".
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SEIA Development Site Test Action
This is a test action for the SEIA development site. Normally, this section would contain a description of the action (<300 words).
Here is where I reminder our supporters to personalize their messages to their legislators.
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Support clean energy in S. 1813
On Tuesday, March 13, the U.S. Senate will hold two important votes.
Specifically, the Senate is slated to consider an amendment offered by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to a pending transportation bill that would extend a host of clean energy provisions.
In addition, the Senate will consider an amendment offered by U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) that would sunset a host of these vital clean energy incentives.
A coalition of clean energy organizations is working to support the Stabenow amendment and to defeat the DeMint amendment, but we need your help. The following letter is being circulated for signatures by companies and organizations that want to help with this important effort.Given the time sensitive nature of the vote, the deadline to add your company or organization’s name to this letter has been extended to 9 AM ET on Tuesday, March 13, 2012.
Please fill out the fields below to add your company or organization to the letter. -
Take action to extend the 1603 Treasury Program!
Please take a moment to contact your Senators and urge them to support the Stabenow amendment to the highway bill (S. 1813).
The 1603 program is hands-down one of the most successful policies ever enacted to deploy clean energy. In only two years, it has generated over $22 billion in private sector investment to jump-start more than 22,000 renewable energy projects across the country. This has created tens of thousands of new American jobs.
Please take a few moments to contact your Senators TODAY. We need to stand together to let Congress know that extending the 1603 Program is critical to keep America working.
Enter your information below to contact your representatives in Congress.
Be sure to personalize the form letter with your own anecdotes or experiences with renewable energy in your community. Every message helps but personlized messages have the greatest impact. -
Support the New York Solar Jobs Act!
The bi-partisan New York Solar Jobs Act is making its way through Albany. Its passage would mean gigawatts-worth of new solar development, thousands of green jobs and billions in local economic output. But naysayers are doing all they can to derail the bill. It's time to show lawmakers that you support a solar powered New York!
Be sure to personalize your message with details about how more solar energy in New York would affect you. Every message helps but personalized responses have the greatest impact! -
Help us pass HB1580 to save solar in the Keystone State!
Don't let Pennsylvania's sunshine go to waste! Solar advocates in the Keystone State are mobilizing to pass a critical bill that will address ongoing problems with the Pennsylvania solar market and we need your help!
At the time it was passed in 2004, Pennsylvania’s renewable portfolio standard contained one of the most aggressive solar PV requirements in the country – 0.5% of the state’s electricity (roughly 800 MW) from PV by 2020. In the meantime, the solar industry has grown faster than anyone anticipated - it is essential that we update the legislation to reflect the current state of the market.
HB 1580 does just that, while putting in place critical consumer protections and ensuring that the Pennsylvanians save money and receive all the other benefits of solar energy.
Please contact House Majority Leader Mike Turzai and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Godhsall today and tell them to keep the solar industry growing in Pennsylvania!
Enter your information below to contact your representatives. Be sure to personalize the form letter with your own anecdotes or experiences with renewable energy in your community. Every message helps but personlized messages have the greatest impact. -
Take action to extend the 1603 Treasury Program!
Please take a moment to contact your Senators and urge them to include an extension of the successful 1603 Treasury Program in the payroll tax package that Congress is currently negotiating. Be sure to remind them that a failure to extend the 1603 Treasury Program will hurt businesses and stifle job creation.
The 1603 Treasury Program has been a resounding success and has made more than two dozen fuel cell projects across the country a reality. Building these fuel cell systems has also had an added benefit of supporting hydrogen infrastructure. The amount of leverage provided by the small amount of grant dollars has been dramatic. There remains a compelling need for the program, particularly while the tax equity markets have yet to recover from the economic downturn. Without the program, leased fuel cell arrangements, those installed for customers without current tax responsibility and those installed by cooperatives would not be possible. We believe that approximately 30% of the fuel cell market will evaporate without 1603 this year.
Please take a few moments to contact your Senators TODAY. We need to stand together to let Congress know that extending the 1603 Program is critical to keep America working.
Enter your information below to contact your representatives in Congress. Be sure to personalize the form letter with your own anecdotes or experiences with renewable energy in your community. Every message helps but personlized messages have the greatest impact. -
Take action to extend the 1603 Treasury Program!
Please take a moment to contact your Senators and urge them to include an extension of the successful 1603 Treasury Program in the payroll tax package that Congress is currently negotiating. Be sure to remind them that a failure to extend the 1603 Treasury Program will hurt businesses and stifle job creation.
The 1603 program is hands-down one of the most successful policies ever enacted to deploy clean energy. In only two years, it has generated over $22 billion in private sector investment to jump-start more than 22,000 renewable energy projects across the country. This has created tens of thousands of new American jobs.
Please take a few moments to contact your Senators TODAY. We need to stand together to let Congress know that extending the 1603 Program is critical to keep America working.
Enter your information below to contact your representatives in Congress.
Be sure to personalize the form letter with your own anecdotes or experiences with renewable energy in your community. Every message helps but personlized messages have the greatest impact. -
1603 Treasury Program - New York Company Sign-On
Fill out your information below to add your company to the letter to the New York congressional delegation requesting an extension of the 1603 Treasury Program for renewable energy.
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1603 Treasury Program - Texas Company Sign-On
Fill out your information below to add your company to the letter to the Texas congressional delegation requesting an extension of the 1603 Treasury Program for renewable energy.
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1603 Treasury Program - Oregon Company Sign-On
Fill out your information below to add your company to the letter to the Oregon congressional delegation requesting an extension of the 1603 Treasury Program for renewable energy.
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1603 Treasury Program - Mississippi Company Sign-On
Fill out your information below to add your company to the letter to the Mississippi congressional delegation requesting an extension of the 1603 Treasury Program for renewable energy.
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1603 Treasury Program - Colorado Company Sign-On
Fill out your information below to add your company to the letter to the Colorado congressional delegation requesting an extension of the 1603 Treasury Program for renewable energy.
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1603 Treasury Program - California Company Sign-On
Fill out your information below to add your company to the letter to the California congressional delegation requesting an extension of the 1603 Treasury Program for renewable energy.
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Keeping PACE for more solar jobs!
Last year, federal housing regulators halted one of the most promising new consumer programs for solar energy. The fight to rescue property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing from the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) continues in 2011 – PACE supporters have assembled a bipartisan coalition of champions on the Hill and with your help, we can get the PACE Assessment Protection Act (H.R. 2599) to the President’s desk before Christmas.
Since your state has already authorized local PACE programs, you could benefit immediately if this bill were to become law. Your representative is on the House Financial Services committee, which oversees the FHFA and has jurisdiction over housing issues. Email your representative today and tell them to support the PACE Assessment Protection Act!
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Thank you Senator Boozman, Solar Champion!
Earlier this month, with the help of solar advocates around the country, SEIA helped the 10 Million Solar Roofs Act pass a critical milestone towards passage. Your senator – John Boozman – was an original co-sponsor of this legislation and his support was critical to keeping the bill moving towards final passage. Securing bipartisan support from the Energy committee is the best way to ensure that legislation like this makes it all the way to the President’s desk.
The 10 Million Solar Roofs Act would incentivize local governments to remove the unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy that solar customers face around the country. If you believe this is a worthy goal, I’d ask you to take a moment and thank Senator Boozman for his leadership.
“A simplified permitting process will make solar energy more affordable," Boozman said via a news release issued with Senator Bernie Sanders. "I am especially pleased that our bill is fully offset and uses existing authorized spending to spur improvements in solar permitting and encourage the deployment of solar energy systems.”
Senator Boozman’s support demonstrates that clean, affordable solar energy is a cause that both Republicans and Democrats can rally behind. It’s one thing to say you’re for an “all of the above” energy policy – it’s another to actually vote that way. John Boozman stood up for affordable solar energy, and we hope you’ll take a moment to thank him for his leadership. -
Last chance for solar in the Empire State!
The New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act would put renewable energy into the hands of the people. The bill sets an ambitious goal for the state – 3% of New York electricity from solar energy by 2025. The legislation incorporates the best ideas from solar policies around the country, and would put New York back in the top ten solar states while putting tens of thousands of New Yorkers to work manufacturing and installing solar energy systems.
The legislative session in New York ends Monday, so there isn’t much time to make this happen. We need your help to keep Albany focused on solar jobs during the final hours. We can make this happen with your support. If you want more information, check out the campaign’s Facebook page – we’ve got links to all the latest news and information on the bill.
Thanks for your hard work – together we can make New York the next great solar success story!
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Tell Gov. Hickenlooper to stop excessive solar permitting fees!
Last month, the Colorado legislature voted overwhelmingly to prevent local governments from charging excessive permitting fees for solar energy systems. However, reports from Denver indicate that Governor Hickenlooper has not decided whether to sign the bill.
The legislation – HB 1199 – would require local governments to charge fair permitting fees for solar energy systems installed on homes and businesses. In Colorado, permitting fees more than doubled last year in some places despite the continuing trend of lower costs for solar energy around the country.
Many cities and counties experiencing rapid growth in solar energy try to “cash in” by expanding permitting, inspection and other fees. However, excessive fees drive up the cost of solar, reducing demand and stifling job creation in the fastest-growing industry in the country.
According the American Solar Energy Society permitting fees add about 33% to what a homeowner would pay for a solar energy system, and many permitting processes have little to no impact on safety. The legislation currently on the Governor’s desk would require solar permitting fees to be tied to the actual cost of issuing the permit – no more than $500 for a residential system and $1000 for a commercial system.
Please contact Governor Hickenlooper and ask that he sign HB 1199 and keep affordable solar energy and green jobs growing in Colorado. -
Support the New York Solar Industry Development & Jobs Act
The Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2011 (A. 5173) will open new market opportunities for solar in New York by encouraging new solar photovoltaic installations on the commercial and residential level. Once a leader in new solar development, New York has fallen behind states like nearby New Jersey that have stronger solar policies in place. A. 5173 draws on proven best practices from other states to provide an effective blueprint for long-term solar market growth and job creation in New York.
Assembly member Steven Englebright (D - Setauket) and Senator George Maziarz ( R- Newfane) are sponsoring the Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act.
Highlights include:
• Thousands of new local jobs will be created across a range of industries and functions, from construction and manufacturing to sales and finance.
• Solar power will help stabilize New York’s power grid by providing reliable, renewable energy at an affordable price to consumers. 1,000 MW of solar power constructed in New York would power 220,000 households.
• Distributed solar on New York’s roofs can help alleviate strains on the state’s electricity grid at critical times,
• Developing solar energy will decrease New York’s production of harmful emissions by reducing the need for traditional power plants.
• A Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program will create market incentives for the rapid development of solar power in the state of New York.
Sign up below to help us fight for the Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act! -
Help create a world-class solar market in Texas!
Did you know that Texas leads in every major sector of the energy industry except solar?
By growing the solar industry in Texas, we will secure a significant portion of the rapidly growing $71 billion global solar market through financing, manufacturing, project development, installation, maintenance, research and development.
Texas can create a modest program that will make us the national leader in every aspect of the solar industry to create jobs and grow the state’s economy. All Texans will benefit from a more diversified energy portfolio, which will increase the reliability and affordability of electricity in our state, and allow Texas to compete with other states that are attracting new business like California, Arizona, Colorado and New Jersey.
Economic Impact of Solar - Creating Jobs
Based on the legislation as filed, growth in the solar industry as a result of a strong, yet limited-in-scope solar incentive program could create an estimated 30,000 jobs throughout Texas. Every sector of the solar industry would see job growth, including manufacturing, project design, installation, maintenance and research and development.
Infrastructure Investment
Successful solar programs in other states that lead Texas in the solar industry have shown for every $1 of incentive, they have attracted $6 in private investment in their state to build the solar industry.
Generating Tax Revenue
The manufacture, sale, installation and maintenance of solar equipment will generate sales tax revenue for the State of Texas that can be directed to General Revenue. Estimates vary with regard to how much sales tax revenue could be generated, but most are several hundreds of millions of dollars.
Generating Energy- Add approximately 1,000 MW to the Texas grid, bringing more affordability and reliability to entire system
- Co-locating solar generation helps support expanded West Texas electrical transmission grid
- Distribution benefits to utility associated with reduced peak energy needs, and future capital investment reductions associate with deferred or avoided capacity
You can learn more about the bill by clicking here, then contact your legislator using the form below. Tell them to support HB 2961 and make the future of Texas even brighter!
