The Pennsylvania Constitution charges us with protecting the state’s environment, and we must utilize the resources at our disposal to do so. That is why we are introducing legislation to require zoning ordinances in Pennsylvania to allow battery energy storage projects to be a permitted accessory use on any parcel of land that contains a commercial solar facility. These battery storage systems store the solar energy generated by these facilities so that it can be used when the sun is not shining, such as at night or on cloudy days.
 
Around the nation, various states have taken strides to increase their use of renewable energy sources; however, Pennsylvania has fallen behind the pack. In 2025, Pennsylvania ranked 49th in the nation in renewable electricity generation, which has led to our state becoming overly reliant on fossil fuels that damage our rich environment and natural resources.
 
This measure will help make solar energy more readily accessible in Pennsylvania and allow us to catch up with the rest of the nation in renewable energy development. A similar measure was recently enacted in Virginia with bipartisan support. I ask that you help us to protect Pennsylvania’s environment and use the energy resources available to us by supporting this important legislation.