legislation news

Communities are coming together to plant Solar Gardens — and visionary new laws are making it possible. Here you will find information on federal and state legislation plus tax-related news.

You can find more at these sources:

 

Tax-related information

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6170: Environmental Tax Incentives

Federal legislation

  • The SUN Act: Introduced by Senator Mark Udall, this act makes a tiny change to the tax code allowing federal tax rebates for solar panels hosted off-property.
  • The Treasury Grant Program: Awards selected commercial solar project developers an upfront grant totaling 30% of the project cost.

 

Legislation by state

 

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

SB 843, before the State Legislature in 2012, would allow virtual net metering in California.

Colorado

In 2010, Governor Ritter signed the Community Solar Gardens Act. See the full text of this bill here.

Colorado Community Solar Gardens Final Rules – September 12, 2011

Colorado PUC Solar Gardens Rule Making

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN) has been working hard to make solar affordable and accesible to every resident of DC.  CMs Cheh and Alexander introduced the Community Renewables Act of 2012 in early March. A summary and the full text of the bill is available online at http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/legislation/community-renewables-energy-act-of-2012

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Solar Gardens Institute core team member David Brosch has led the effort to introduce a solar gardens bill in Maryland, working closely with Vote Solar. The bill is the first statewide effort to use the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) community renewables model program rules. The bill has been introduced in both the House of Delegates and Senate under different bill numbers and with identical text. HB864 is sponsored by Dana Stein, and SB595 is sponsored by Paul Pinsky. No hearing has yet been scheduled in either chamber.  Full text of bill

Massachusetts

In 2008, State Representative Matt Patrick authored the Green Communities Act, which authorized “neighborhood net-meterin,” allowing a group of residents in a neighborhood or town to pool resources to cover the capital cost of a renewable energy installation. Two community solar gardens are already in place in the state.

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

Senate Bill 114

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Northern Marianas Islands

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Proposed Amendments to House Bill 3039

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Virgin Islands

Washington

The Washington state legislature recently approved the Community Solar Enabling Act, allowing co-ops to host solar panels for subscribers anywhere in the state.

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

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