Sierra Club Applauds Bipartisan Community Solar Legislation
Lansing, MI - Today, in bipartisan fashion, Reps. Rachel Hood (D) and Michele Hoitenga (R) introduced legislation (House Bills 4715-4716) to remove restrictions on community solar projects in Michigan, allowing communities, non-profits, religious institutions, and everyone from all income levels to participate in the clean energy revolution while lowering their utility bills.
In response, Tim Minotas, a Legislative and Political Coordinator with the Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter, released the following statement:
“Community solar programs address the many barriers that prevent households from adopting rooftop solar, such as people who can’t afford the up-front costs, who are renting, have shaded rooftops, or don’t qualify for standard financing solutions.
These bills will allow all customers to go solar and save money by joining a shared solar installation located somewhere else in their community and receive a credit on their utility bill for their portion of the power produced. This is a crucial tool for mitigating expensive electricity rates and household energy burden - which is especially high in Michigan for both rural and low income communities. Overall, these bills will help improve our economic stability, provide good-paying jobs, enhance the use of cleaner sources of energy, and create a healthier Michigan.”
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