Testimonials
“Representative Fiedler’s Solar for Schools legislation will create good, family-sustaining jobs for Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth,” said Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council. “Further, the legislation would save both school districts and taxpayers money. It’s a win-win. The PA Building Trades is glad to see this legislation progress through the PA House.”
“We’re completely in line with our friends in organized labor in the belief that we can grow our economy, create union jobs, and meet our climate goals,” said Katie Blume, political and legislative director for Conservation Voters of Pa. “There might be disagreement on some of those fine details, but we absolutely reject the idea that we have a binary choice between economic and job growth, and protecting the environment.”
“This project is a prime example of making sure that we’re doing all that we can to return as much money back to the classrooms as possible while also being concerned about the kind of environment and planet that we leave for our children," said House Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris on the Steelton-Highspire School District’s solar array.
“All that savings, what we’re trying to do is get more funding to offset our expenses and get more programming for students,” said Mick Iskric, Steelton-Highspire superintendent. “The more money I save, the more support I can get directly into the classroom.”
“We can move most of our schools to net zero. Imagine the savings over 30 years. We have an opportunity to get our students in front of green energy, they can have access to watching the building trades install it, we can create family-sustaining jobs,” said Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council.
“Solar-generated electricity is already the cheapest electricity in history, and in states that support the transition to solar, school districts and public universities are already benefiting from adopting solar technology,” Sens. Vincent Hughes and Carolyn Comitta wrote in a Senate companion co-sponsorship memo. “With the savings, local governments can reduce the tax burden, schools can invest in more teachers, and universities can reduce tuition costs.”
“We are proud to support Representative Fiedler’s Solar for Schools bill because it takes steps to protect the health of students, educators and staff in schools, and the health of the public at large; it helps lessen our dependence on fossil fuels to ensure our air is clean and our water is pure; and it will create family-sustaining, good-paying union jobs for those installing, retrofitting, repairing and maintaining solar energy projects for our school buildings,” said Arthur G. Steinberg, president of AFT Pennsylvania.
“The Solar for Schools Grant Program is a critical piece of legislation that provides us with a chance to invest in our aging school buildings -- while supporting and sustaining good-paying, clean-energy union jobs. With bipartisan support, this bill would have an impact for all Pennsylvanians, and on behalf of 700,000 workers, we encourage the legislature to pass it,” said Angela Ferritto, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President.
"The laborers' union appreciates the opportunity to partner with Representative Fiedler on this legislation. It will not only help schools to reduce energy costs, but it will also help to set the standard for solar energy construction jobs,” said Tony Seiwell, Business Manager for the Laborers’ District Council of Eastern PA. “We have always believed that jobs in renewable energy can and should be well-paid, family sustaining jobs that provide health and retirement benefits, hire workers from the local community, and invest in local apprenticeship and training programs.”
"Solar energy is a cornerstone of solving the climate crisis and realizing a more just society," Corby said. "Solar’s unique ability to shift power, literally and figuratively, can lower the cost of living, create good local jobs, reduce health-harming pollution and build a brighter, more resilient future for generations to come,” said Elowyn Corby, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for Vote Solar.
“Bringing solar energy to educational facilities will do more than just save money on costs and taxes; it will bring the technology that will power tomorrow right to the students who can learn from, use and seek careers in it,” said Rep. Dave Madsen, D-Dauphin. “As we look toward a greener, more energy efficient future, we need to give our next generation the ability to use and improve upon solar energy.”
“Solar for Schools is an incredibly timely piece of legislation with the planet in ecological turmoil. The passage of the Solar for Schools legislation would provide a teachable moment for the commonwealth’s 1.7 million K-12 students that their planet and futures matter and are worth fighting for,” said T.J. Lepera, IBEW 98 Political Director.
“As a traditionally underfunded school district in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, our school district looks for little wins that will allow us to drive the maximum amount of funds to our most important resource, the students. A solar renewable energy project was and continues to be that win,” said Mick Iskric, Steelton-Highspire superintendent.