Tag: solar-power

Early lessons from the Centre County solar power purchase agreement

December 26, 2024

I want the lessons of the Centre County solar power purchase agreement (SPPA) working group (WG) to be as accessible as possible. As readers know, 10 of central Pennsylvania’s local governments are finalizing the largest-by-member SPPA in the Commonwealth and maybe the country. This entry is my first deliberate crack at it. Here, I will use the World … More Early lessons from the Centre County solar power purchase agreement

A major step for solar power in Pennsylvania’s local governments

November 18, 2024

Tomorrow night, the State College Area School District will be the first of Centre County’s local governments to vote on whether we enter into a 15-year solar power purchase agreement (SPPA). As the project’s instigator, a member of the working group over its five years, and its first and last Chair, I am excited to … More A major step for solar power in Pennsylvania’s local governments

Fifteen years of sustainable design for our schools

November 3, 2024

The State College Area School District has been pursuing building excellence for over 15 years. The first push for more sustainable design and construction came when the Board passed a resolution in 2008 committing the District to a minimum LEED Silver standard. Ever since, the District has incorporated sustainable design, energy, and procurement in its … More Fifteen years of sustainable design for our schools

An inspiration — or a cautionary tale? Definitely an inspiration.

October 24, 2024

Today, Spotlight PA ran an excellent story on how “local governments can struggle to work together in Pennsylvania even when they have a common and seemingly mundane goal like saving money on electric bills.” I’ve written about this project here pretty extensively. In the next month, ten local governments will vote to adopt affordable, carbon-free, Pennsylvania-supplied … More An inspiration — or a cautionary tale? Definitely an inspiration.

Taking to the airwaves for democracy & a brighter climate future

January 19, 2024

As I just shared, 12 of our local governments have come together to explore a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a solar developer in response to public demand for climate action. The PPA aims to generate 29,000,000 kilowatt hours of carbon-free electricity annually, providing financial stability through long-term low electricity rates and creating Pennsylvania jobs. … More Taking to the airwaves for democracy & a brighter climate future

Solar aggregation, cooperation, democracy, & action on climate change

January 19, 2024

In Centre County, Pennsylvania, 12 local governments have come together to explore a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a solar developer in response to public demand for climate action. The PPA aims to generate 29,000,000 kilowatt hours of carbon-free electricity annually, providing financial stability through long-term low electricity rates and creating Pennsylvania jobs. The project is now in its final stages, with local boards and solicitors set to review and vote on it. This initiative signifies democracy in action and a commitment to a more just and sustainable future. … More Solar aggregation, cooperation, democracy, & action on climate change

The power of cooperation for solar power

January 7, 2024

In the closing of The Climate Book, youth climate leader Greta Thunberg writes, “Everyone is needed … no matter where you live” to respond to the climate challenge. She finishes by saying, “Simply: tell it like it is.” Here it is. Twelve local governments in central Pennsylvania are nearing an exciting decision on solar energy. … More The power of cooperation for solar power