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Quaker Action Mid-Atlantic Region (QAMAR) a 501c4 advances policy concerns of f/Friends at state and local levels.� � *Network includes f/Friends from PA, NJ, MD and DE. �� *Quakers have been effective change leaders historically.�� *Quakers trust one another in their discernment and leadings.�� Friends have a shared responsibility to speak out and take action on the pressing concerns of our time.��Visit https://quakeract.org/contact We need YOU!!

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Current Priorities:

  • Defend Democracy
  • Slow the Climate Crisis
  • End Gun Violence

https://www.quakeract.org

DONATE

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Accomplishments in 2024-’25:

Solar for Schools Law passed in PA

$25 million appropriation: 60 -70 additional public schools and

community colleges across PA installing solar in 2025.

Electric School Buses

helped get federal funding restored

Gun Control

helped pass restrictions on ghost guns in New Jersey

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Energy Challenges we Face right now

  • Rising Electricity Prices
    • PECO Rate increased 12% in January
    • PJM Capacity Auction increased 15% in June
    • PJM Capacity Auction in July means

another increase next year

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    • Rising Global Emissions

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Solution to both:

MUCH more affordable clean energy

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Sun Day, Sept. 21st

Celebrate the Success of Solar:

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  • Cheapest
  • Cleanest
  • Fastest form of Energy

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Call on our Legislators to Put

more Solar on the Grid NOW

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Solar Growth Exceeds Expectations in USA

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Reform PJM: Clean up the Queue:

Reform PJM:

    • Capacity Auction process
    • Clear the Interconnection Queue

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If PJM clears the queue,

Rates will decline by 7%.

If they don’t, rates will rise by 60%.

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Vital Solar Legislation in PA

 

  • HB 501 – PRESS (Otten) – referred to Environmental & Natural Resource Protection

 

 HB 504 – Community Energy (Schweyer) – passed the House, now in Committee in Senate

 

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PASS THE BUDGET !!

  • Renewal of Solar 4 Schools Grant Program
  • Authorization of Solar For All Grant

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PA has fallen behind in Renewable Energy

Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS)

22 years ago all PA electric utilities were required to purchase

8% renewable energy in their generation mix (portfolio)

by May of 2021. Included in that 8% is 0.5% solar.

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The AEPS currently has two Tiers:

Tier 1 = Renewables: wind, hydro, solar = 8%

Tier 2 = Municipal Solid Waste (MSW),

Waste Coal, and others = 12%

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PRESS will expand the PA AEPS: 35% by 2035

PA Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard: Expands Tier 1, Changes Tier 2 and adds Tier 3:

Tier I 

    • Solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal energy,
    • Wind power
    • Low-impact hydropower
    • Geothermal energy
    • Small Modular Reactors (SMR)
    • Fusion energy
    • Coal mine fugitive emissions
    • Biogas

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Benefits of PRESS: 35 x 35

  • Economic Development 5.1 Billion new investment in PA
  • Job Creation at least 15,000 new jobs
  • Energy Diversification increases grid resiliency
  • Farm and Land Preservation: Farmers lease land for solar & wind dev’t. Preserves family farms and keeps land in agricultural use.
  • Environmental Benefits
  • Health Benefits
  • Downward pressure on rates

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Legislative Work in New Jersey

  • Climate Superfund Act create a fund for climate adaptation
    • Restoration after flooding, wildfires and other climate disasters
    • Public Transit Upgrades
    • Energy efficiency upgrades
    • Upgrading Electrical Grid

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Regulatory and Administrative Work in PA & NJ

  • Resource Adequacy – PJM Capacity Auction Crisis
    • Data Centers must Bring their Own Energy, Capacity and Transmission
    • PJM must Clean up the Queue
    • PJM Governance Structure Reform

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  • Interconnection Reform in PA
  • Demand Response
  • Virtual Power Plants

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Legal Work in PA

  • Support RGGI, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative – Decision expected by the State Supreme Court after the election
    • Retention of 3 Supreme Court Justices is Critically important

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  • Appeal of the PUC decision on Community Choice Aggregation to the Commonwealth Court

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November 4th VOTE VOTE VOTE

  • New Jersey Governor’s race – Mickie Sherrill vs Jack Ciatterelli
  • PA Supreme Court Justice Retention: VOTE YES to Retain

Justice Donohue Justice Dougherty Justice Wecht

Pennsylvania Bar Association: All 3 are highly qualified and recommended for retention

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QAMAR Engagement

We engage our members via:

Webinars and Workshops

  • Briefings
  • Trainings

Action Network

  • Emails
  • Letter campaigns
  • News updates
  • Meetings with legislators

Website

  • https://www.quakeract.org/

Facebook and Instagram

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Thank you�

Join us

www.QuakerAct.org

lizhrob2@gmail.com