Lititz Borough council urges state to pass community solar bill after advocates' presentation

Lititz Borough Council on April 28 voted to approve Resolution 1034, urging the Pennsylvania legislature to pass House Bill 504, the Community Energy Act, after a presentation by local volunteers and energy advocates.

Don Gallagher and Elizabeth Hoffman, volunteers with Elders Climate Action and Third Act’s Lancaster group, told council the bill—passed by the Pennsylvania House and now in Senate committee—would authorize the state Public Utilities Commission to set rules allowing municipalities to decide whether community energy projects would proceed locally. Hoffman said the legislation would let residents subscribe to solar arrays sited on farms, brownfields, parking lots or large roofs, and said the owner of an array could retain no more than 50% of the benefits to ensure community participation.

Hoffman emphasized state energy context: she cited that Pennsylvania gets about 1% of its energy from solar and ranks near the bottom in renewable energy growth, while roughly 60% of the state’s energy is supplied by fossil gas. She also noted recent utility rate increases under PUC review and argued that community solar can add local supply quickly—projects typically take 12–18 months—reduce pressure on the grid, lower bills for subscribers and non‑subscribers alike, and reduce air pollution.

The presenters said the Community Energy Act includes consumer and worker protections and covers other renewable biogas sources; they asked Lititz to join 14 other municipalities that have passed supporting resolutions. Council member Gatis introduced the advocates and the resolution, and a councilmember moved and seconded the measure. One member voiced opposition during the voice vote; the resolution passed.

Resolution 1034 specifically calls on the Pennsylvania State Senate to advance the House‑passed bill (House Bill 504) and referenced Representative Peter Schwire as the bill’s sponsor in the House. The council indicated staff will notify the borough’s state senator of the resolution.

What happens next: the bill remains in the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee; municipal resolutions are intended to signal local support for state consideration.Lititz’s resolution does not itself change local regulations; advocates said the PUC would first adopt program rules and then municipal officials could decide whether projects would proceed within their jurisdiction.