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From YouTube: Committee on the Environment 6-11-2019
Description
The Committee on the Environment of the Council of the City of Philadelphia held a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 3:00 PM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following item:
190378 An Ordinance amending Chapter 9 3400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Energy Conservation,” to establish a Solar Panel Incentive Program, under certain terms and conditions.
Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on the Environment, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed item.
Committee on Environment
Chair: Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown (At Large)
Vice Chair: Councilwoman Cindy Bass (8th District)
A
Good
afternoon
good
afternoon,
thank
you
very,
very,
very,
very
much
for
your
patience.
We're
now
going
to
call
to
order
the
Committee
on
the
environment.
Do
your
testimony
on
bill
number
one:
nine,
zero,
three,
seven
eight
and
pleased
to
say
that
we
have
a
quorum
represented
and
the
with
the
members
of
Councilwoman
Cindy
bass,
President
Darrell,
Park,
councilman
bill,
green
v,
okay,.
B
A
B
B
A
A
Unfortunately,
these
tax
credits
are
set
to
expire.
The
legislation
under
consideration
today
will
continue
to
encourage
private,
residential
and
commercial
installation
of
solar
energy
in
Philadelphia,
in
spite
of
the
federal
hurdles,
I
also
plan
to
introduce
an
amendment
which
will
adjust
the
cap
of
a
program
to
meet
today's
budget
realities
and
to
enable
the
program
administrator
to
establish
a
preference
for
low
and
moderate
income
households.
Let
me
repeat
that,
because
we
need
to
do
better
in
the
city
and
figuring
out
how
we
can
cast
a
net
wider
for
low
and
moderate
income
households.
A
So
today,
after
speaking
with
members
of
the
administration,
I
will
be
introducing
an
amendment
which
will
adjust
the
cap
of
the
program
to
meet
today's
budget
realities
and
to
enable
the
program
administer
administrator
to
establish
a
preference
for
low
and
moderate
income
households.
We
do
look
forward
to
hearing
testimony
on
bill
number
one:
nine
zero,
three,
seven
eight,
and
so
please
will
the
clerk.
Please
call
up
the
first
panel.
C
Afternoon,
chair
Reynolds,
Brown,
I'm,
Christine,
Knapp
I'm,
the
director
of
the
office
of
sustainability
for
the
city
I'm
here
to
testify
in
support
of
bill
one
nine
zero,
three,
seven,
eight,
which
would
establish
an
incentive
program
for
solar
installations
in
Philadelphia.
Thank
you
for
your
continued
leadership
on
these
issues.
Councilwoman.
Absolutely
the
office
of
sustainability
works
to
improve
community
quality
of
life
and
to
prepare
Philadelphia
for
a
hotter
and
wetter
future.
Due
to
climate
change.
C
This
work
has
become
all
the
more
critical
in
the
wake
of
the
Trump
administration's
decision
to
withdraw
from
the
Paris
climate
agreement.
Without
leadership
from
the
federal
government,
cities
like
Philadelphia
are
stepping
up
to
continue
the
important
work
of
reducing
the
carbon
pollution.
That's
warming.
Our
planet,
Mayor
Kenny,
is
committed
to
reducing
Philadelphia's
carbon
emissions.
C
Eighty
percent
by
2050
and
transitioning
to
100
percent
renewable
energy
in
Philadelphia,
almost
80
percent
of
our
carbon
emissions
come
from
buildings
and
industry,
which
is
why
it's
so
important
to
focus
our
efforts
on
making
our
buildings
more
under
efficient
and
to
move
them
towards
using
cleaner
energy.
Last
year,
our
office
released
powering
our
future
a
clean
energy
vision
for
Philadelphia,
which
outlines
the
various
opportunities
to
slash
carbon
emissions
from
the
built
environment
city
wide.
C
The
analysis
of
this
report
shows
that
to
meet
our
80
by
50
goal,
80%
of
Philadelphia
suitable
rooftop
space,
which
is
about
39
percent
of
total
rooftops,
will
need
to
be
producing
clean
electricity
for
residents
and
businesses
to
achieve
the
goals
set
forth
in
powering
our
future,
we'll
need
to
add
15
megawatts
of
solar
capacity
to
Philadelphia
buildings
over
the
next
few
years
and
in
increasing
amounts
until
2050.
This
is
more
than
three
times
the
annual
capacity
we've
added
in
any
given
year,
since
we've
began
tracking
it
in
2007
I've
included.
C
In
my
testimony,
a
chart
that
show
demonstrates
the
solar
generation
increase
in
Philadelphia
over
the
last
decade
or
so.
Our
report
also
identifies
various
strategies
to
promote
local
installations
in
Philadelphia,
including
the
successful
solarized
program
and
reducing
soft
cost
barriers
to
solar
installations,
such
as
those
addressed
through
the
city's
achievement
of
Sol
SMART
goal
designation
by
the
US
Department
of
Energy.
The
report
also
notes
that
the
federal
solar
investment
tax
credit,
which
currently
offers
a
30
percent
rebate
on
solar
installations,
is
scheduled
to
ramp
down
after
2019
and
will
expire
altogether
by
2020.
C
We
believe
this
additional
local
incentive
will
help
to
motivate
homes
and
business
owners
to
take
advantage
of
the
federal
incentive
before
it
ends.
Providing
renewable
electricity
to
Philadelphians
is
one
of
the
most
effective
mechanisms
for
combating
climate
change.
However,
solar
energy
usage
has
other
several
several
other
co
benefits.
A
solar
generation
becomes
more
affordable.
It
would
be
easier
to
add
Philadelphia
homes
in
every
neighborhood
to
lower
their
energy
bills
and
provide
clean
power.
Cdy
solar
will
help
displaced
fossil
fuel
generation
from
our
regional
electricity
grid.
C
Reducing
air
pollution
make
that
makes
its
way
to
Philadelphia
and
installing
solar
generation
citywide
will
generate
new
local
job
opportunities,
including
those
for
students,
if
the
bright
solar
futures
initiative
run
by
the
school
district
and
the
Energy
Authority.
Due
to
these
reasons,
we
believe
the
city's
investment
in
supporting
solar
development
will
provide
numerous
benefit
benefits
and
is
an
innovative
way
to
help
create
a
sustainable
city
for
all
residents.
Thank
you
for
the
to
testify
today
and
I'd
be
happy
to
answer
any
questions.
A
couple.
D
Okay,
wonderful
so
good
afternoon,
chairman
Reynolds
Brown
great
to
be
here
and
members
of
the
committee.
My
name
is
Laura
Rochelle
I'm,
the
solar
manager
at
the
Philadelphia
Energy,
Authority
and
PGA,
was
established
in
2010
to
support
the
city
on
issues
of
energy,
affordability
and
sustainability.
Then,
in
2016
we
launched
the
Philadelphia
energy
campaign,
a
1
billion
dollar
investment
in
clean
energy
and
energy
efficiency
projects
to
create
10,000
jobs
in
Philadelphia
in
the
campaign's
first
two
years
we
helped
launch
over
100
million
dollars
worth
of
projects
and
created
nearly
1,000
jobs.
D
We
work
to
expand
solar
in
Philadelphia
as
a
key
piece
of
this
campaign,
because
it
creates
jobs
and
reduces
our
impact
on
climate
change.
Rooftop
solar
creates
the
most
jobs
per
dollar
invested
of
any
type
of
energy
project.
We
have
seen
this
firsthand
through
our
program,
solarized
Philly
now
in
its
third
year,
solar
as
Philly's
the
nation's
largest
single
solar
as
initiative,
and
has
created
nearly
6
million
dollars
of
investment
in
our
local
solar
market
and
created
52
jobs,
Solarize
fully
partners
with
local
installers
to
help
Philadelphians
go
solar
at
a
discount.
D
D
Thanks
to
your
leadership,
Councilwoman
Reynolds
Brown,
today
we
have
an
opportunity
to
take
action.
If
the
city
funds
the
proposed
solar
incentive
program
at
2.5
million
dollars
a
year,
it
will
help
get
Philadelphia
on
track
to
meet
its
climate
goals.
In
the
absence
of
federal
action
on
climate
change,
local
leadership
is
more
important
than
ever.
D
When
the
Trump
administration
withdrew
from
the
Paris
climate
agreement
in
2017,
Philadelphia
decided
to
say
we're
still
in
we
as
a
city,
we
made
a
commitment
to
take
climate
change
seriously,
and
the
federal
government
continues
to
go
in
the
wrong
direction.
Solar
is
key
to
how
we
as
a
city
and
nation,
can
reduce
our
climate
impact.
But
now,
at
a
time
when
climate
change
is
more
urgent
than
ever,
the
federal
government
is
phasing
out
the
biggest
incentive
for
solar,
the
federal
investment
tax.
D
Credit
was
enacted
by
Congress
in
2006
and
cuts
the
cost
of
solar
by
30
percent.
This
incentive
has
been
a
major
driver
of
solar
installations
across
the
country,
but
is
scheduled
to
start
stepping
down
after
2019
the
city's
clean
energy
vision.
Thank
You
Christine
charts
out
a
strategy
to
get
us
to
our
goal
of
reducing
emissions
by
80%
by
2050
to
meet
that
critical
goal.
The
plan
says
that
we
must
be
adding
15
megawatts
of
solar
every
year.
We
are
not
adding
15
megawatts
a
year.
In
fact,
we
are
far
behind
that
pace
of
growth.
D
Here
in
Philadelphia
in
2018
we
added
2
megawatts
of
solar.
We
are
not
on
track
to
meet
the
city's
climate
goals
and
with
the
investment
tax
credits
stepping
down
the
solar
growth
we
need
will
be
even
less
achievable.
We
cannot
afford
to
continue
at
our
current
trajectory
of
solar
adoption.
Never
mind
lose
any
momentum
in
our
response
to
climate
change.
Instead,
we
need
to
be
drastically
ramping
up.
D
The
pace
of
solar
growth
in
Philadelphia
PA
recommends
that
the
city
funds
the
proposed
solar
incentive
program
at
2.5
million
dollars,
in
line
with
the
requirement
that
we
add
15
megawatts
of
solar
each
year.
Based
on
our
climate
commitments,
the
proposed
solar
incentive
program
will
provide
20
cents
per
watt
for
residential
solar
installations
and
10
cents
per
watt
for
commercial
installations.
This
would
average
1,000
for
a
typical
home
going
solar
and
would
help
fill
the
gap
left
by
the
dwindling
federal
investment
tax
credit.
D
This
size
of
incentive
will
help
keep
solar
cost
competitive
with
electricity
from
the
grid,
meaning
that
households
can
go
solar
and
save
on
their
electricity
expenses
when
Solar
means
savings
for
a
typical
household.
That's
when
we
expect
to
see
solar
adoption
scale
up
from
2
megawatts
a
year
to
15
megawatts
a
year
in
line
with
our
climate
goals.
D
I
want
to
recognize
and
thank
some
of
our
other
panelists
here
today,
one
of
our
partner
installers
Joe,
kiss
from
kiss
electric
Spencer
right,
the
lead
instructor
for
our
job
training
program
and
Juan
sanabria,
a
trainee
who
is
now
one
of
the
growing
number
of
solar
installers
working
here
in
Philadelphia.
If
Philadelphia
is
serious
about
our
commitment
to
responding
to
the
climate
emergency,
it's
imperative
that
we
act
now,
the
solar
incentive
program
should
be
funded
at
two
point:
five
million
dollars
to
get
us
on
track
to
reduce
emissions
by
80%
by
2050.
Thank
you.
Okay,.
A
I,
thank
you
both
and
let
me
seize
the
moment
to
say
thank
you
to
for
always
working
at
such
a
collegial
manner.
With
my
office
we
do
share
common
goals
and,
and
and
getting
there
is,
is
the
objective
and
so
I
have
here
four
for
the
full
of
Energy
Authority,
the
update
or
Solar
Philly
solar
eyes.
Philly.
We
can
cover
that.
D
To
that
yeah,
of
course,
so
we
just
reopened
solarized
Philly
for
a
third
phase
over
the
first
two
phases,
we
had
363
homeowners,
signed
contracts
for
solar
at
a
discount
through
the
program
and
saw
52
jobs
created,
and
we
just
reopened
the
program
on
April
23rd,
with
we
added
two
new
installers
to
the
list
of
pre-approved
companies
participating,
including
Vivint,
solar
and
Arsenal,
solar
and
we've
began
begun,
referring
homeowners
over
to
those
installers
and
we've
actually
opened
the
program
up
to
businesses
as
well.
Awesome.
A
So,
as
an
at-large
person,
a
member
of
council
I'm
always
drawn
to
looking
at
the
demographics
of
a
number
and
so
I
know
that
the
district
council
persons
would
be
very
interested
in
knowing
how
this
363
number
breaks
down
by
council
matic
district.
So
if
you
could
provide
that
to
me
at
your
convenience
to
that
district
council
members
can
see
how
well
residents
in
their
council
matic
districts
have
taken
advantage
of
this
opportunity
and
where
there
is
not
where
the
connect
and
quite
happened.
Yet
that
would
be
very
informative.
Yeah.
D
D
Sure
so
we've
worked
with
council
offices.
We
actually
brought
around
brochures
and
posters
to
all
of
the
council
offices
today
and
we're
now,
starting
to
poster
in
libraries
and
rec
centers,
partially
inspired
by
the
energy
offices
work
with
librarians
to
support
them
to
be
advocates
of
solar
energy
and
we're
actually
working
with
each
of
our
installers
on
different
marketing
strategies.
So
that
includes
luncheon
learns
with
major
employers,
okay
in
the
city,
so
universities
are
included
in
that.
D
A
Convenient
it's
not
costly,
and
it's
right
upstairs.
We
should
take
advantage
of
that.
Have
you
connected
with
any
members
of
the
clergy
community?
They
are
all
several
sectors
of
the
black
clergy
meet
monthly
and
they
welcome
this
type
of
information
at
those
leadership
meetings
where
you
can
share
the
information
as
well,
so
my
office
can
be
helpful
to
you
in
that
way
to
get
up
close.
You
know
in
front
of
clergy,
men
and
women
who
have
congregations.
Who
would
benefit
from
this
type
of
information,
so
I,
don't
what
would
this
be?
D
D
A
C
Strategies
for
promotion,
mm-hmm
I
mean
our
friends
at
VA-
have
done
the
lion's
share
of
work
and
promotion
around
solarized,
so
we've
supported
them
in
using
our
own
social
media
accounts.
You
know
putting
it
in
our
newsletter,
sharing
it
through
our
channels,
but
they've
really
done
the
lion's
share
of
the
work.
So
I
can't
take
credit
for
their
promotional
activities
on
Solarize.
What.
C
C
I
think
what
I
see
if
I
imagine
where
you're
connecting
is,
if
whatever
we
can
learn
from
the
solarized
promotion
program,
we
should
also
be
applied
to
the
solar
rebate
program
right.
We
want
people
to
know
that
this
exists
so
that
they
can
take
advantage
of
it.
So
I
think
we'll
have
to
put
together
a
really
smart
promotion
strategy
that
will
work
together
on.
Please.
A
E
A
B
E
E
This
opportunity
to
not
only
develop
a
life-changing
career,
but
to
also
make
a
difference
to
literally
help
save
the
planet,
but
the
main
highlight
the
most
beautiful
thing
is
when
one
of
our
graduates
gets
a
job
and
starts
making
that
money
and
making
that
difference.
This
is
what
I
like
to
use
my
time
here
to
talk
about
and
share
with
you
all
today.
We
need
to
keep
this
momentum,
this
fantastic
growth
in
the
Philadelphia
soul,
solar
market
going
strong.
In
fact,
we
need
to
ramp
it
up.
E
We
need
to
assure
these
adults
coming
through
workforce
development
have
job
opportunities
that
the
high
school
graduates
can
roll
right
into
work,
opportunities
and
careers.
Workforce
Development
is
a
bus
term,
that's
being
thrown
around
a
lot
here
lately.
Well,
I,
don't
see
it
as
just
a
bus.
Job
I
see
it
as
a
mission,
not
just
a
nice
thing,
but
a
necessary
one.
That
has
to
happen
to
make
this
energy
paradigm
shift
happen
from
fossil
fuels
to
renewables,
to
make
it
a
reality.
E
E
There's
a
model
in
one
of
the
reports:
the
potential
of
state
solar
jobs
predicting
a
possible
125
percent
growth
in
solar
jobs
in
the
state
of
Pennsylvania
by
2021
tomorrow,
I'd
love
to
see
Philly
do
its
part
in
making
that
happen.
Here's
a
quote
from
another
report
quote
today:
leaders
in
solar
are
making
diversity
and
inclusion
a
priority.
This
rapidly
growing
industry
now
employs
242
thousand
plus
Americans,
and
these
job
opportunities
should
be
accessible
to
everyone.
E
Spain
in
closing,
I'd
like
to
speak
directly
to
the
solar
rebate
program
legislation
that
Councilwoman
Reynolds
brown
is
putting
forth
as
evidence
in
a
white
paper
from
May
1st
2012,
the
Baker
Center
job
report
developed
by
Howard
H,
Baker,
jr.
Center
for
Public
Policy.
It's
entitled
assessment
of
incentives
and
employment
impacts
of
solar
industry
deployment.
E
Effective
incentives
are
long-term
instruments
that
remove
specific
barriers
level
costs
to
encourage
long
term.
Private
investment
and/or
offer
stability
during
the
adoption
cycle
that
allows
the
new
technology
to
cross.
The
chasm
incentives
provide
opportunity
for
technology
development
that
introduces
economy,
economies
of
scale
or
production
or
conversion
efficiencies
that
allow
price
points
attractive
to
adopters,
for
whom
price
is
the
primary
consideration?
E
Ideally,
incentives
have
a
schedule
built
in
to
allow
gradual
reductions
in
the
incentive,
as
the
industry
matures.
This
stands
just
as
true
today,
as
it
did
then
in
2012.
Many
of
the
predictions
that
were
made
in
that
report
have
happened.
There's
no
doubt
that
incentives
like
this
solar
rebate
program
for
the
city
of
Philadelphia
can
and
do
make
a
difference.
Thank
you.
Thank.
A
A
B
F
Good
afternoon
chairwoman,
Reynolds
Brown
and
members
of
the
committee,
my
name
is
Joseph
kiss
I'm
here
to
testify
for
bill
one:
nine,
zero,
three,
seven,
eight
back
around
2005
I,
educated
myself
when
something
scientists
believe
was
coming
called
climate
change
was
not
coming
for
another
40
or
50
years,
but
sure
enough,
it
was
coming.
I
knew
I
had
to
figure
out
a
way
to
do
my
part.
What
could
Joe
kiss
do
to
help
as
an
electrician
I
discovered
solar,
PV
systems,
one
way
to
produce
clean,
renewable
energy
to
help
save
the
planet.
F
At
that
point,
I
made
a
commitment
to
myself.
I
made
it
my
mission
to
bring
solar
to
everyone.
I
could
fast
forward
just
a
decade
later
and
notice.
Climate
change
came
sooner
than
we
all
first
thought.
Many
may
argue
about
why
it
is
here,
but
few
argue
it
is
here.
Look
around
you
notice
how
our
weather
comes
in
unusual
patterns
such
as
severe
storms,
disturbing
people's
lives
and
homes.
Not
only
our
personal
lives
being
affected
native
animals
in
the
Arctic
are
becoming
extinct
due
to
the
shrinking
ice
caps.
F
Each
day,
climate
change
is
destroying
our
planet.
We
must
act
now.
Solar
PV
systems
are
the
beginning
of
the
solution.
What
will
be
the
answer
to
these
questions?
What
kind
of
world
are
we
leaving
our
children?
What
kind
of
world
are
we
leaving
our
children's
children
as
I
mapped
out
my
road
on
how
to
get
this
solution
out
to
as
many
as
I
could
I
was
so
excited
to
find
my
home
state
of
Pennsylvania
as
a
veteran?
This
is
the
state.
F
I
was
proud
to
serve
my
country
from
and
when
asked
the
inevitable
question
what
part
of
PA
our
friend
knew
I
always
answered.
Philly
the
city
I
love
Pennsylvania,
was
starting
an
amazing
program
called
the
sunshine
program.
I
became
a
part
of
it
as
fast
as
I
could,
by
building
out
a
solar
division
to
my
growing
electrical
contracting
firm,
kiss
electric.
It
was
hugely
successful,
supporting
thousands
of
Pennsylvania's
to
go
solar,
but
the
incentives
ride
up
our
market
for
snow,
solar,
renewable
energy
credits
or
s
recs.
F
Our
Pennsylvania
was
left
a
loser
in
the
solar
market.
I
was
crushed
and
had
to
push
on.
Lord
knows
you
got
to
be
tough
to
be
from
Philly,
with
no
state
assistance
in
a
very
difficult
market.
Few
people
around
the
country
in
this
industry
believe
there
was
any
reason
to
think
solar
and
Pennsylvania
should
be
said
in
the
same
sentence
in
2017.
My
team
and
I
found
a
for
folks
to
help
install
some
solar
in
Philadelphia.
It's
part
of
a
new
program
called
Solarize
Philly.
We
had
no
idea
what
it
was
but
knew.
F
We
need
to
look
into
it.
The
two
meetings,
the
Philadelphia
Energy
Authority,
was
attempting
to
go
solar
here
in
Philadelphia
after
attending
one
than
two
meetings.
I
was
not
really
sure
if
much
would
come
from
this,
but
maybe
just
maybe
when
you
get
10
or
15
installations
out
there.
So
we
worked
as
hard
as
we
could
to
be
involved
after
two
widely
amazing
phases.
F
The
PA
Solarize
program
has
installed
almost
400
solar
PV
systems
created
over
52
jobs,
created
a
low
income
program
added
over
a
megawatt
of
solar
to
the
city
skyline
and
has
made
Philadelphia
winter
in
the
solar
market,
become
the
fourth
fastest
growing
market
in
America
today,
and
who
here
doesn't
level
winter
PA
has
assisted
in
teaching
residents
and
young
adults
of
solar
trade.
This
has
led
to
a
realization.
There
can
be
a
solar
industry
in
Pennsylvania.
There
can
be
a
reason
to
learn
is
new
and
exciting
trade.
F
We
can
all
do
our
part
while
saving
homeowners,
thousands
of
dollars
in
entry
cost,
while
shrinking
our
city's
carbon
footprint.
When
don't
in
the
proper
way,
we
are
making
every
individual
or
business
that
goes,
solar,
wealthier
for
it,
and
we
all
know
even
when
it's
not
about
the
money.
It's
about
the
money
bottom
line,
there's
no
losers
here,
but
we
need
your
help.
Solar
is
in
a
very
fragile
state.
Our
own
and
many
other
governments
have
chosen
to
ignore
the
signs
of
what's
happening
around
us.
Are
we
going
to
do
the
same?
F
Is
Philadelphia
gonna,
be
a
real
world
Krypton,
ignoring
the
signs
until
it's
too
late,
I.
Think
not
today,
it's
up
to
you,
the
powerful
decision-makers
of
our
great
city
to
decide
if
it's
worth
chipping
in
and
making
a
Philadelphia
a
national
leader
and
make
it
much
easier
for
Philadelphia
to
do
their
part.
With
your
help,
we
all
be
able
to
answer
the
question
with
yes,
I
left
my
world
a
better
place.
Thank
you.
Your.
A
G
For
me,
I'd
been
out
of
work
for
quite
a
while
and
having
almost
no
luck
finding
a
job,
and
then
my
parents
got
Solar
through
the
solarized
Philly
program
and
fast
forward
a
little
bit
for
two
months.
Almost
two
months,
I
made
my
way
down
to
the
icy
building
and
came
ready
to
learn
so
I
could
enter
a
young
and
fresh
industry
where
there's
so
much
opportunity
and
potential,
not
just
for
any
one
individual
but
for
companies.
G
Organizations,
cities,
towns,
states,
states,
and
you
have
the
training
program
itself
prepared
me
for
what
I
would
encounter
on
the
job.
I
was
taught
the
ins
and
outs
of
the
solar
energy
system,
the
typical
parts.
You
would
see
how
they
work.
How
to
install
them
properly-
and
this
was
all
taught
to
me
by
professionals
of
all
skill
levels,
and
some
of
them
are
here
mr.
Spencer
right.
Mr.
Michael
gold,
marquel
mr.
Schuyler
William,
Cole
and
yeah.
G
Happy
I
sought
out
the
opportunity
because
it
resulted
in
a
great
reward.
I've
been
working
at
solar
states
for
almost
a
year
and
I
love.
What
I
do
and
I've
had
plenty
of
fun
experiences
along
the
way
whether
it
was
working
on
twelve
module,
resident,
install
or
a
1,000
module
commercial
project,
or
even
a
solar
carport
for
charging
the
solar.
G
A
You
represent
the
future
and
you
make
what
we
do
on
the
legislative
side
and
what
the
businessmen
do
on
their
side
so
worthwhile.
Thank
you
very
much
for
your
testimony.
You
also
give
us
a
lot
of
hope.
So
please
update
me
or
how
well
we
are
doing
with
the
school
district
mr.
right
and
capturing
the
imagination
of
young
people
to
consider
this
as
a
prospect.
E
A
E
A
F
What
Fidel
Fenner
Gee
Authority
has
built
is
brought
in
finance
partners
and
we're
doing
very
low-cost
solar
projects
for
low
to
moderate
income,
folks
that
aren't
putting
any
money
out
of
their
pocket,
and
so
how
does
they
become
eligible?
They
go.
They
apply
with
the
Philadelphia
Energy
Authority.
They.
H
F
H
E
B
A
Okay,
all
right,
then,
that's
a
clear,
strong
partnership.
Yes,
so
Laura!
If,
if
you
could
too
often
and
hearings
like
this,
we
hear
of
the
engagement
of
the
school
district,
which
is
a
great
thing.
That's
the
good
news
too
often
the
bad
news
is
it's
the
same
son,
let's
say
the
same
same
usual
suspects.
So
we
want
to
know
how
I
want
to
know
how
well
we're
doing
in
schools
that
typically
do
not
get
caught
in
this
web
of
opportunity.
D
B
A
D
That
means
it's
a
three
year
program
where
sophomore
students
opt
in
and
they
choose
their
their
specialty
area.
So
there
are
tons
of
programs
of
study
that
students
can
choose
from
like
culinary
plumbing
vending
machine
mechanic.
It
runs
the
whole
gamut
okay.
So
we're
looking
to
add
another
option
to
that
list
of
solar
energy
and
if
it's
approved
by
the
state,
Pennsylvania
Department
of
Education,
which
we
expect
it
to
be
than
any
school
district
in
Pennsylvania,
would
be
able
to
access
state
funding
to
offer
that
same
curriculum
to
their
own
students.
Awesome.
A
D
A
G
A
I
Sure
thing
my
name
is
Lila
Riley
and
I'm,
co-chair
of
the
building
industry,
associations,
Green,
Committee
and
also
a
Philadelphia
resident
and
homeowner.
As
you
know,
the
BIA
is
the
region's
Association
for
residential
home
builders,
residential
contractors
and
suppliers.
I
would
like
to
thank
the
Councilwoman
Reynold
Blondell
Reynolds
Brown,
for
allowing
me
to
testify
today
on
build
number
one:
nine,
zero,
three
seven,
eight,
which
she
is
introduced
to
create
a
little
of
your
solar
panel
incentive
program.
I
The
proposed
program
has
the
potential
to
provide
a
tipping
point
and
financial
feasibility
for
business
owners,
but
especially
small
businesses
and
Philadelphia
homeowners.
I
was
in
the
Bay
Area
in
California
last
week,
visiting
a
friend
and
couldn't
help,
but
take
note
that
the
solar
panels
were
installed
everywhere.
Large
buildings,
small
buildings,
single-family
homes
and
it
made
me
wonder
and
ask
the
obvious
question:
what
can
we
do?
I
California's
been
fortunate
to
have
statewide,
forward-thinking
leadership
and
stimulating
and
advancing
the
market
for
solar
adoption?
We
are
not
as
fortunate
to
have
that
leadership
on
a
state
level,
and
that
is
where
municipal
leaders,
like
you
all,
continue
to
step
up
to
the
plate.
Thank
you
for
taking
on
this
role
and
for
proposing
to
fill
the
gaps
or
state
and
federal
governments
or
lacking
the
Bay.
I
Area
also
has
benefits
and
having
a
very
healthy
job
market
where
area
median
income
is
a
hundred
and
ninety
two
thousand
dollars
a
year
compared
to
the
Philadelphia
median
income
of
$90,000
per
year.
This
demonstrates
that
every
penny
of
financial
support
for
a
program
like
this
goes
an
incredibly
long
way
for
residents
and
small
businesses
here
in
our
city.
In
fact,
new
sent
of
amounts
could
be
too
low
and
we
would
advocate
for
maintaining
or
increasing
the
proposed
amount.
I
If
the
administration
is
serious
about
meeting
their
ambitious
goals
for
reducing
carbon
emissions,
we
need
to
support
progressive
legislation
like
this,
to
open
markets
for
more
viable
and
long-term
solutions
and
reducing
carbon
emissions,
creating
jobs,
running
us
and
running
a
sustainable
business.
In
addition,
we
need
swift
implementation
of
this
program.
The
federal
tax
credit
for
solar
is
diminishing
year
after
year
over
the
next
three
years,
so
implementing
a
viable
program
today
is
essential
to
maximizing
the
financial
investment
opportunities.
I
Lastly,
it's
worth
mentioning
the
broader
economic
stimulus,
a
bill
like
this
could
have
on
our
local
economy
or
unspoken
winners
of
the
solar
incentive
program.
These
include
but
are
not
limited
to
roofing
companies
tree
cutting
services,
affordable
housing
developers,
educators,
first-time
homebuyers
electricians,
students,
building
scientists,
entrepreneurs,
Solar
training,
program
participants
and,
last
but
not
least,
Pico.
These
are
the
types
of
jobs
our
city
could
proudly
and
inclusively
grow
together.
So
let's
get
moving.
The
BIA
supports
bill
number,
one:
nine,
zero,
three,
seven
eight.
A
J
My
name
is
edward
robinson,
and
I
am
testifying
today
on
behalf
of
the
philadelphia
chapter
of
the
American
Institute
of
Architects.
The
AIA
is
Philadelphia's
voice
of
the
architectural
profession
and
represents
more
than
263
member
architectural
firms
and
228
affiliate
companies
supplying
products
and
services
to
the
construction
industry
in
the
region.
I'd
like
to
thank
Councilwoman
Reynolds
Brown
for
allowing
me
to
testify
today
on
her
legislation,
which
would
create
a
Philadelphia
solar
panel
and
Senate
program.
This
program
is
a
right
read:
legislation
at
the
right
time.
J
It
will
be
effective
in
making
clean
energy
more
affordable
for
all
Philadelphia
building
on
local
employment
opportunities
for
new
solar
and
encouraging
the
creation
of
more
solar
businesses.
It
will
also
coordinate
with
ongoing
job
training
programs
that
build
a
solar
culture
that
will
keep
our
talented
solar
workers
from
being
pulled
to
other
markets.
This
proposal
will
also
help
to
address
climate
change
by
creating
conditions
to
achieve
the
current
administration's
established
energy
goals.
The
solar
industry
has
a
great
future.
J
The
biggest
damper
for
the
local
developing
solar
industry
is
uncertainty
in
the
market,
and
this
bill
helps
address
that
uncertainty.
Solar
power
is
a
great
job
creator
and
is
one
of
the
fastest
growing
sectors
in
Pennsylvania.
15
jobs
are
created
for
every
hundred
installations.
If
demand
increases
the
city's
current
goals
that
would
create
450
living
wage
jobs
a
year.
This
new
wave
of
solar
jobs
is
already
underway.
Pa
was
selected
for
the
one
point,
one
point:
two:
five
million
dollar
award
from
the
US
Department
of
Energy
to
train
more
than
a
hundred
students.
J
In
three
years,
Solarize
Philadelphia
has
been
training
high
school
students
and
post
graduates
as
solar
installers
now
in
its
third
year,
and
is
expanding
the
program
this
summer.
Right
now,
demand
is
the
necessary
component.
This
Philadelphia,
solar
incentive
program
is
being
created
at
the
right
time.
The
federal
solar
incentive
program
is
being
phased
out
entirely
over
the
next
two
years
for
residential
and
commercial.
Solar
projects
are
being
reduced
to
20%
of
their
current
levels.
New
and
local
incentives
are
needed
to
increase
the
market
demand
for
new
install
installations.
J
The
overall
level
of
funding
is
right
at
the
2.5
million
dollar
level,
and
per
project
incentives
are,
if
anything,
too
low
current
level.
The
current
level
of
interest
is
high,
as
measured
by
PDA,
yet
the
contracts
for
actual
insta
state
installations
remains
relatively
low
compared
to
where
we
need
to
be
contracts
for
the
last
two
years
have
been
below
200
and
installs
each
year.
This
needs
to
be
closer
to
3,000
a
year
to
achieve
the
administration's
clean
energy
goals
of
15
megawatts
of
solar
power
each
year.
J
The
return
of
an
investment
on
a
typical
row
house,
solar
system
is
10
years
and
commercial
is
5
years.
This
makes
great
economic
sense.
There
has
been
a
lot
of
ingenuity
in
developing
ways
for
injest
investors
and
homeowners
and
businesses
to
share
the
benefits
of
different
with
different
levels
of
investment.
J
This
bill
will
only
deepen,
encouraging
encouraged
these
funding
alternatives
to
increase
solar
Solar
is
going
to
become
increasingly
important
and
useful
as
a
tool
for
architects
and
developers
to
meet
the
ever
more
challenging
energy
requirements
of
the
International
Energy
code
and
Philadelphia's
new
adopted
codes
having
a
knowledgeable
workforce,
viable
business
conditions
and
a
coordinated
regulatory
environment
are
all
important
components
in
building
economic
growth
through
solar.
This
bill
focuses
on
demand
for
new
solar
installation
installations.
J
The
most
important
component
to
ensure
Philadelphia
gets
its
fair
share
of
the
job
market
and
other
economic
gains
from
this
burgeoning
solar
market.
Let's
not
miss
a
boat
or
let
other
cities
and
states
pass
us
by
the
AIA
supports
bill
number
1903
78.
We
thank
councilman
Reynolds
Browns
for
introducing
this
progressive
legislation
and
we
asked
the
council
and
administration
and
all
council
supported
as
well.
Thank
you
for
your
consideration.
Well,.
A
I
think
you,
both
coming
from
the
industry
and
not
being
a
part
of
government
to
see
the
value
and
this
from
from
a
business
perspective.
It
makes
a
difference
when
legislators
can
have
an
idea
and
clearly
this
is
not
a
solo
act,
but
for
the
Energy
Authority
and
the
Office
of
Sustainability.
We
would
not
be
here,
so
it
really
is
a
partnership,
but
then
to
know
that
is
endorsed
by
your
organization's
goes
a
mighty
long
way.
So
we
thank
you
for
your
presence
and
your
testimony.
Thank.
J
A
H
Afternoon,
thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
speak.
As
you
know,
my
name's
Matt
Walker
I'm,
the
Evans
treacherous
cleaner
council,
we're
a
nonprofit
health
environment,
environmental
health
organization,
hick
we're
in
Philadelphia.
The
council
has
been
working
for
over
50
years
to
protect
everyone's
right
to
breathe,
clean
air.
We
have
37,000
activist
members,
including
many
in
Philadelphia
in
2015.
The
council
called
on
Philadelphia
City
Council
to
take
more
ambitious
steps
to
address
climate
change
and
promote
renewable
energy,
including
a
soil
repeat.
H
So
the
council
is
excited
to
see
that
Councilwoman
Reynolds
Brown
has
introduced
a
bill
to
establish
a
slower
rebate
program
for
residential
and
commercial
properties
in
Philadelphia.
If
done
right,
this
program
will
help
us
address
climate
change,
improve
air
quality
by
displacing
fossil
fuel
energy
sources
and
provide
good-paying
jobs
for
Philadelphians.
A
solar
rebate
program
is
exactly
the
kind
of
concrete
action.
Philadelphians
need
from
city
council
right
now
to
put
us
on
the
right
track
to
achieving
our
greenhouse
gas
reduction
and
renewable
energy
goals.
Philadelphia.
It
needs
this
incentive
and
more.
H
If
we
are
going
to
meet
mayor,
Kenny's
goal
to
reduce
greenhouse
gases
80%
by
2050
and
and
hopefully
more
ambitious
goals
in
in
the
near
future,
in
2018
2.2
megawatts
of
solar
was
added
to
Philadelphia.
Yet
the
city's
clean
energy
vision
projects
that
Philadelphia
needs
15
megawatts
of
new
solar
each
year.
It
is
critical
that
City,
Council
and
mayor
can
I
commit
the
funding
needed
to
achieve
mayor
Kenny's
goal,
starting
with
the
two
and
a
half
million
dollars
per
year.
H
For
this
program,
I
have
to
say,
I
was
disappointed
to
learn
that
the
2.5
million
dollar
cap
is
being
significantly
slashed
to
five
hundred
thousand
dollars
this.
This
is
really
unacceptable.
I
think
we
should
keep
the
2.5
million
dollar
cap
in
place
and
that
this
amount
should
actually
be
increased
in
future
years.
If,
if
the
the
mayor
and
city
council
are
serious
about
these
climate
goals
and
the
mayor's
climate
goals,
you
know
he
and
City
Council
need
to
make
sure
we're
had
a
clue
adequately.
Funding
these
programs.
H
The
timing
of
the
solar
rebates,
though,
could
not
have
been
better.
The
federal
tax
credits
for
residential
solar
are
set
to
expire
in
2022
and
will
start
decreasing
next
year,
as
we've
heard
this,
but
I
think
this
rebate
will
provide
the
necessary
incentive
to
go
solar,
even
though
it
will
only
be
a
fraction
of
the
federal
incentive.
H
The
Philadelphia
residents
go
solar
this
year
after
the
rebate
becomes
effective,
they
would
get
about
1,000
dollars
back
for
the
average
system,
in
addition
to
taking
advantage
of
the
30%
federal
tax
credit
and
the
Solarize
Philly
program,
which
helps
reduce
the
cost
of
solar
through
both
purchasing.
While
the
council
is
extremely
supportive
of
the
rebate.
H
What
I
just
mentioned
about
the
reduction
in
the
cap?
We
do
have
serious
concerns
about
how
the
program
will
ensure
that
low
and
moderate
income
residents
can
fully
access.
The
benefits
and
I
do
acknowledge
since
I've
written
this
testimony
that
you've
you've
added
some
language
to
at
least
start
addressing
this
concern.
The
council
recommends
adding
a
significant
carve-out
for
low
moderate
income
residents
from
the
total
allocation
council.
H
Members
should
also
consider
how
they
out
how
to
allow
multifamily,
affordable
housing
owners
and
tenants
to
benefit
from
the
rebate
and
to
ensure
that
landlords
cannot
pass
the
costs
of
the
solar
installation
to
the
tenants
through
rent
increases,
for
instance,
in
California
solar
on
multifamily,
affordable
housing
program.
Tenants
can
receive
credits
for
electricity
generated
by
the
solar
panels
purchased
by
the
building
owner,
and
the
law
prohibits
passing
the
cost
along
to
tenants.
H
Cleaner
counsel
thanks
you
for
taking
concrete
action
on
this
issue,
but
also
strongly
urges
members
of
this
committee
to
do
more
to
ensure
we
can
curb
catastrophic
climate
change
as
much
as
we
possibly
can
to
further
incentivize
solar
city
council
could
take
the
following
short
term
actions
give
density
bonuses
for
new
construction.
That
includes
solar.
Some.
H
Something
in
your
office
I
know
it's
considering
to
give
density
bonuses
for
new
construction.
That
includes
solar
and
I
know.
Your
office
has
been
doing
research
on
that,
but
hopefully
we
can
advance
that
quickly
to
to
offer
tax
abatement
for
solar
and
energy
efficiency
projects
in
new
or
modified
buildings.
This
is
a
recommendation.
The
council's
made
for
several
years.
H
Analysis
of
please
feel
free
to
contact
us
for
additional
information
about
what
that
schedule
would
look
like
and
three
make
a
request
that
the
Pennsylvania
Public
Utility
Commission,
allow
Philadelphia
to
pursue
Community
Choice
aggregation
by
adopt,
and
you
would
do
that
by
adopting
a
city
council
resolution
urging
them
to
do
so.
The
council
can
provide
additional
information
on
any
of
the
above,
if
requested
thanks
again
for
taking
this
important
action
to
address
climate
change,
and
please
consider
our
recommendations
to
improve
the
bill.
Thank
you.
Thank.
K
Thanks
very
much
for
the
opportunity
to
testify
MIT's
Chenin
I'm,
a
member
of
the
steering
committee
of
350
Philadelphia.
Today,
I
was
asked
to
testify,
on
behalf
of
power,
philadelphians
organized
to
witness,
empower
and
rebuild
which,
as
you
know,
I'm
sure
is
an
organization
of
50
member
congregations
representing
about
30,000
people
here
in
Philadelphia,
working
together
to
fight
for
racial,
economic
and
environmental
justice.
K
Power
is
supportive
of
the
intention.
The
goal
of
creating
a
solar
incentive
program
and
his
supportive
of
the
bill,
except
has
had
concerns
about,
at
least
until
the
amendments
were
added.
A
lack
of
clear
provisions
for
equity
for
ensuring
that
funding
is
available
to
to
low-income
residents.
I
am
NOT
an
expert
on
the
economics
of
rooftop,
solar
or
the
mechanics
of
the
solarized
program,
but
I
wanted
to
just
share
a
really
quick
anecdote
power
and
Centennial
Park
Side
CDC
hosted
a
candidate
forum
about
energy
democracy.
K
I'm
not
prepared
to
say,
but
folks
that
power
would
be
very
eager
to
have
a
conversation
about
that
in
the
coming
weeks
to
make
sure
that
this
program
creates
more
equity
and
doesn
exacerbate
existing
inequities.
In
the
way
that
the
solar
programs
in
the
city
are
functioning
and
like
Matt
was
saying
and
others
I
have
not
run
the
amendment
by
people
at
power,
but
I'm
sure
folks
would
say
they
would
prefer
to
see
it
funded
at
the
original
amount
that
was
intended
and
the
smaller
$500,000
per
year
amount.
K
K
A
K
K
We're
very
dismayed,
so
I've
been
an
organizer
and
an
activist
for
more
than
20
years
and
I
have
to
say
I
do
not
like
conflict
after
all
that
time,
so
I
don't
I,
don't
even
want
to
say
what
I'm
gonna
say,
but,
but
you
know,
council,
member
Reynolds,
Brown
we've
been
asking
to
meet
with
you
for
several
weeks
now
about
the
LNG
bill
and
you
have
not
met
with
us.
We
believe
that
the
LNG
project
that
has
been
proposed
is
a
bet
against
effective
climate
policy.
K
As
I
was
sharing
in
my
testimony
last
week,
the
the
market
for
natural
gas
needs
to
decline
in
the
coming
years
dramatically,
if
we're
going
to
have
any
chance
of
protecting
a
livable
climate,
and
the
business
plan
for
the
LNG
project
assumes
that
the
market
for
gas
will
remain
steady
or
increase.
So,
even
though
the
project
is
being
put
forward
as
a
for
energy
poverty
to
help,
people
pay
their
bills
and
power
and
I
certainly
agree,
that's
an
extremely
important
problem.
K
It
cannot
be
a
real
solution
to
that
problem
if
we're
serious
about
protecting
a
livable
climate.
So
I
would
like
to
ask
again
if
you
would
consider
meeting
with
us
to
discuss
this
prior
to
the
vote
on
Thursday.
We
hope
all
members
of
council
will
vote
no
or
at
least
abstain
on
that
vote
in
the
interest
of
having
additional
conversation
about
it.
That
is
their
wrong
direction
for
the
city,
in
contrast
to
to
the
bill
that's
being
discussed
today,
which
is
the
right
direction
for
the
city.
Thank
you.
Thank.
L
Yeah
hello,
my
name
is
Mina
El
Raval
I'm,
a
resident
of
Mount
Airy
and
I'm,
an
active
member
of
Sierra
Club's,
ready
for
100
team
I'm
here
to
speak
on
bill
1
903
78,
the
solar
panel
incentive
program.
We
need,
as
everyone
said,
we
need
a
rapid
transition
to
renewable
energy.
So,
of
course,
we
support
this
bill
wholeheartedly,
a
bill
that
would
offer
a
20
cent
per
watt
rebate
for
rooftop
solar
projects
over
the
next
six
years.
That
is,
we
love
it.
L
What
is
unclear
is
how
this
rebate
program
will
be
funded.
While
we
were
wondering
where
we
were
gonna
get
the
two
and
a
half
million
dollars.
We
hear
that
it's
already
cut
to
1
fists
the
fund.
Why
are
we
limiting
this
program
before
it's
even
seen
the
light
of
day
in
addition
to
a
rebate,
incentivizing,
rooftop
solar?
We
would
like
to
have
a
comprehensive
conversation
about
something.
L
We've
asked
this
committee
for
months:
they're,
ready
for
100
resolution,
a
resolution
with
the
goal
of
transitioning
all
of
Philadelphia's
energy
uses,
both
public
and
private,
to
100%,
clean
electricity
by
2035
and
100%
clean
eating
and
transportation
by
2050.
Adopting
such
a
resolution
with
an
agreed
upon
time
frame
would
lead
to
an
action
plan,
helped
put
things
like
today's
bill.
In
the
context
of
a
larger
plan,
we
have
a
draft
copy
of
an
action
plan
to
offer
this
committee.
L
An
action
plan
would
help
prioritize
even
triage
our
work
ahead,
so
we
could
focus
on
reducing
the
most
emissions
and
improving
the
air
quality
for
the
most
people
already
for
100
resolution
would
put
all
of
the
stuff
we've
done
to
date.
The
citywide
energy
vision,
the
municipal,
an
energy
master
plan
councils
pledge
to
uphold
the
Paris
agreement
Plus
and
the
70
megawatt
solar
project
in
Adams
County.
All
of
these,
in
the
context
of
an
aggressive
but
achievable
goal.
L
It
would
require
that
we
review
and
revise
our
policies,
for
example,
if,
if
new
vehicles
are
being
considered,
this
resolution
would
remind
us
say
that
they
need
to
be
zero
emission
vehicles
if
roofs
are
being
replaced.
This
resolution
would
remind
us
that
we
need
to
consider
the
viability
of
rooftop
solar
if
a
road
is
being
repaved.
This
resolution
would
require
that
we
consider
pedestrian
and
cycling
use
for
the
same
roadway
if
we're
buying
leaf
blowers
and
street-sweeping
trucks.
This
resolution
would
have
us
consider
low-carbon
options,
such
as
investing
in
people
and
brooms.
L
This
bill
offering
a
rebate
to
those
installing
rooftop
solar,
is
one
we
wholeheartedly
support.
But
when
we
consider
the
crime
is
crisis
in
every
decision
we
need
to
make
when
we
need
to
consider
future
generations.
In
every
decision
we
make,
it
becomes
obvious
that
we
can
no
longer
encourage
new
fossil
fuel
projects
that
have
recently
been
the
focus
of
our
climate
action.
L
I'm
talking
about
the
septa
gas
power
plant,
PGW
LNG
facility
and
the
soon
to
be
voted
on
trash
and
recycling
program
that
would
continue
to
incinerate
our
trash
they're
ready
for
100
resolution
has
been
adopted
by
cities
and
towns
across
the
US,
including
Minneapolis
San,
Francisco,
Atlanta,
Orlando,
Los,
Angeles
and
18
townships
in
the
Philadelphia
suburbs.
The
suburbs
are
hopping
compared
to
here.
The
ready
for
100
resolution
is
very
much
needed
for
Philadelphia.
A
A
B
A
B
B
B
A
K
A
Opposed
the
eyes
have
it
and
the
motion
carries
bill
number
one:
nine
zero.
Three
seven,
eight
as
amended,
will
be
reported
from
this
committee
with
a
favorable
recommendation
and
request
that
the
rules
of
council
be
permitted
be
suspended
to
permit
first
reading
at
the
next
full
session
of
council.
That
concludes
the
business
of
the
Committee
on
the
environment.