Release – GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic Urgently Calls for Maryland House Committee to Pass HB 1158, the Clean Energy Jobs Act
For immediate release
GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic Urgently Calls for Maryland House Committee to Pass HB 1158, the Clean Energy Jobs Act
Media Contact:
Nayeli Pelayo
(202) 656-2473
ANNAPOLIS, Md.; March 7, 2019 – Tomorrow, GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic will join forces with other solar and renewable energy organizations for an urgent appeal to the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee to move forward with the Clean Energy Jobs Act (HB 1158), a 50 percent renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that would reinvigorate the solar industry in Maryland.
The Clean Energy Jobs Act is designed to provide the support the solar industry needs. Increasing Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard to 50 percent by 2030 could enable an estimated 20,000 jobs in the Maryland solar industry. Additionally, it would help ensure that the benefits of solar extend to low-income households and underserved communities.
“GRID Mid‐Atlantic envisions a future where clean, renewable energy is accessible to everyone,” said Nicole Steele, executive director of GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic, “The Clean Energy Jobs Act would help cement Maryland’s role as a policy and economic leader in our nation’s clean energy transition.”
HB 1158 would rebalance the market for Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), which are incentives for solar energy production based on the RPS targets. The SREC market is important for the entire solar industry in Maryland, but it is particularly important to help ensure that the benefits of solar extend to low-income households and underserved communities.
“Restoring the SREC market will better enable GRID Mid-Atlantic to combine SRECs with other innovative financing sources to develop solar projects in Maryland, reducing energy burdens and providing valuable workforce development opportunities that benefit both residents and local businesses,” added Steele.
HB 1158 would remove barriers into the clean energy industry by providing funding for capital and loans, opening access to minority-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses. GRID Mid-Atlantic is ready to support the workforce needed for these businesses and has a proven track record in partnering with local organizations to provide hands-on and classroom training to individuals ready to join the burgeoning renewable energy industry.
“Talented workers are all around us: youth ready to start their careers, formerly incarcerated individuals ready to start over, and veterans ready to serve their country in a fulfilling way, and many others. Let’s stabilize the market and ensure that more solar is developed in Maryland by passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act.”
About GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic
GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic is an affiliate of GRID Alternatives, a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. Using a unique, people-first model, GRID Mid-Atlantic develops and implements solar projects that serve qualifying households and affordable housing providers, while providing hands-on job training. GRID Mid-Atlantic has installed 214 solar systems and helped households and housing providers save $6.7 million in lifetime electricity costs, while training over 794 people. For more information, visit www.gridalternatives.org/midatlantic.
