R 411
2022 -- H 8375
Enacted 06/24/2022

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF SOLAR PANELS ON INTER-STATE HIGHWAYS

Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Corvese, Blazejewski, and Fogarty

Date Introduced: June 24, 2022

     WHEREAS, Solar energy utilization in highway infrastructure around the country has
been increasing in recent years due in part to several advantages for this type of energy
development including the use of existing electrical infrastructure already aligned with major
highways, secured boundaries, and easy maintenance access; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created
consisting of seven (7) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of
Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director
of the Department of Transportation, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the
Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one of whom shall be the Chairperson
of the Public Utilities Commission, or designee; and one of whom shall be the Director of the
Office of Energy Resources, or designee.
     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study
commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a
member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator; provided that, the majority leader or
the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the appointment consent to the
member of the general public.
     The purpose of said commission shall be to study and provide recommendations for the
most appropriate placement of solar panels on median strips on interstate highways and route
146, carports at state parking lots, and such other locations as the commission determines. The
commission shall seek placements which would provide and generate maximum returns on the
investment as well as producing substantial amounts of energy.
     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select, from among the legislators, a
chairperson.
     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,
documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or
desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters
for said commission; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
House of Representatives on or before April 11, 2023, and said commission shall expire on July
11, 2023.
========
LC006188
========