Bennet Introduces Bill & Authors Op-Ed to Promote Community Solar

Washington, D.C. - August 1, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet expressed his commitment to advancing community solar, which allows community members to save on their electricity bills by sharing solar energy production. While solar power has grown by an average of 70 percent each year in the last decade, and the costs of installation have fallen nearly as much, less than half of U.S. households and businesses can host a solar power system. Community solar makes it easier for these families and businesses to access this system.

Yesterday, Senators Bennet and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2017, which would make permanent a Department of Energy program to promote community solar, especially in low-income communities. The bill also encourages the federal government,â??the largest employer and consumer in America, to participate in community solar projects where possible.

Today, in coordination with first Annual Community Solar Summit taking place in Denver, Bennet wrote an op-ed to emphasize his support for this clean energy development.

"Community solar is one of the most promising developments in renewable energy," Bennet wrote. "It expands access to clean energy resources and helps households and businesses save on their electricity bills. Colorado is leading the way in this new model, but we have only begun to realize its promise."

"[Colorado was] the first state to pass legislation on community solar, and in just a few years, we have installed enough community solar to power thousands of homes across our state," Bennet continued. "Today, over 7,000 Coloradans work in solar, many in community solar projects. For us, this is not some Bolshevik fantasy; it is a proven and profitable enterprise."

In the op-ed, Bennet also highlighted the Pueblo County School District, which became the first District in Colorado to source 100 percent of its electricity from solar energy. In the first year alone, the District saved $35,000. Over the life of the program, those savings will exceed $2 million dollars.

The Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2017 is supported by organizations and businesses across the country.

"Community solar offers every American the opportunity to choose affordable, local clean energy," said Jeff Cramer, Executive Director of the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA). "CCSA - and its 36 industry members - welcome United States Senators Bennet and Heinrich's leadership to encourage the expansion of consumer choice and access to solar for all through this legislation."

"Community solar offers an opportunity for virtually any household or business to receive clean energy and utility bill savings from solar power," said Stan Greschner, Vice President of GRID Alternatives, the nation's largest non-profit solar provider. "This bill specifically recognizes underserved communities that can most benefit from access to solar, and the need to develop targeted solutions to ensure that households at lower income levels can participate."

"We strongly support this effort to ensure that more Americans have access to clean, affordable, reliable solar energy," said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. "We urge members of Congress from both parties to get behind this measure to expand these important community solar projects to the benefit of all energy consumers."

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