Even on a wet Wednesday afternoon, the solar array on the rooftop of Community College of Allegheny County’s North Campus was still generating buzz.

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.-17) toured the installation to highlight how renewables can save energy and money, even as Republicans in Washington have ended clean energy incentives through the federal spending plan signed by President Trump in July.

CCAC President Quintin Bullock said the 543 kilowatt solar array at the North Campus was turned on in January 2022. It generates about 30% of the building’s electricity needs, saving the college up to $16,000 each year. Bullock said that’s money that can go back into programs that benefit students.

Deluzio said the end of federal tax credits will make it harder for others to make a switch to cheaper renewables. He said people in Western Pennsylvania are getting sticker shock from their electricity bills and other rising costs.

“ Life is very expensive. People expect our government — our federal government, where I serve — to do something to make life less of a ripoff for people,” Deluzio said. “ They also expect our government to deal with pollution, to protect our air quality, to combat climate change.”

Rachel McDevitt

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90.5 WESA

The phase-out of clean energy tax credits is also a job killer, Deluzio said. The Clean Economy Tracker estimates the move will result in 16,000 lost energy jobs, and prevent 19 gigawatts of new energy generation across Pennsylvania over the next decade.

“I think a Democratic majority in the Congress will take as a priority restoring these tax credits to keep costs down, to protect our clean air and more,” Deluzio said. “I think we need to have a different control of the Congress and the House and the Senate to force the President back to the negotiating table to restore these tax credits.”

Gavin Lynch, a student volunteer with Moms Clean Air Force who attended Deluzio’s tour, said the federal government is going in the wrong direction on climate change.

“ I really wish they would be doing a lot more to help with the environment. In times of crisis, we look to the government to help regulate things more and help actually provide for the people,” Lynch said. “This is a time of crisis. Climate change is severe and something we really need to work and focus on. And they’re not helping, they’re taking away the help.”

Pennsylvania is expected to get warmer and wetter with climate change, experiencing more severe storms and floods. To avoid the worst effects of climate change, scientists say the world needs to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Current government policies are not in line with that goal.