Pennsylvania HB 2651: An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in economic development programs, providing for the Returning Heroes Supplemental Tax Credit Program.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3664
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2651
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY STEELE, T. DAVIS, KHAN, SANCHEZ AND MERSKI,
JUNE 17, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, JUNE 22, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), entitled
"An act to empower cities of the second class A, and third
class, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships of the first
and second classes including those within a county of the
second class and counties of the second through eighth
classes, individually or jointly, to plan their development
and to govern the same by zoning, subdivision and land
development ordinances, planned residential development and
other ordinances, by official maps, by the reservation of
certain land for future public purpose and by the acquisition
of such land; to promote the conservation of energy through
the use of planning practices and to promote the effective
utilization of renewable energy sources; providing for the
establishment of planning commissions, planning departments,
planning committees and zoning hearing boards, authorizing
them to charge fees, make inspections and hold public
hearings; providing for mediation; providing for transferable
development rights; providing for appropriations, appeals to
courts and penalties for violations; and repealing acts and
parts of acts," in general provisions, further providing for
definitions; in comprehensive plan, further providing for
preparation of comprehensive plan; in subdivision and land
development, further providing for contents of subdivision
and land development ordinance; in zoning, further providing
for ordinance provisions; and providing for renewable energy
siting standards.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 107(a) of the act of July 31, 1968
(P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities
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Planning Code, is amended by adding definitions to read:
Section 107. Definitions.--(a) The following words and
phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to
them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
* * *
"Combined energy generation and storage facility," a solar
energy facility or wind energy facility that is paired with an
energy storage facility and has a maximum facility output of at
least two megawatts and the technical capacity to deliver the
maximum facility output for a minimum duration of at least four
hours.
* * *
"Energy storage facility," a facility located in this
Commonwealth that employs technology, including electrochemical,
thermal or electromechanical technology or a technology defined
as "energy storage technology" in 26 U.S.C. § 48E (relating to
clean energy investment credit) or 26 CFR 1.48E-2(g)(6)
(relating to qualified investments in qualified facilities and
EST for purposes of section 48E) on the effective date of this
definition, that is capable of absorbing and storing energy for
use at a later time, is designed primarily to store energy for,
and is connected to, the wholesale or distribution grid and has
a maximum facility output of at least five megawatts and the
technical capacity to deliver the maximum facility output for a
minimum duration of at least four hours.
* * *
"Renewable energy facility," a solar energy facility, wind
energy facility, energy storage facility or combined energy
generation and storage facility.
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* * *
"Solar energy facility," a system that captures and converts
solar energy into electricity for sale or for use in locations
other than solely on the property of the solar energy facility,
is connected to the wholesale or distribution grid and has a
nameplate capacity of at least two megawatts.
* * *
"Wind energy facility," a system that captures and converts
wind into electricity for sale or for use in locations other
than solely on the property of the wind energy facility, is
connected to the wholesale or distribution grid and has a
nameplate capacity of at least two megawatts.
* * *
Section 2. Section 301(a)(6)(viii) and (ix) of the act are
amended and the paragraph is amended by adding a subparagraph to
read:
Section 301. Preparation of Comprehensive Plan--(a) The
municipal, multimunicipal or county comprehensive plan,
consisting of maps, charts and textual matter, shall include,
but need not be limited to, the following related basic
elements:
* * *
(6) A plan for the protection of natural and historic
resources to the extent not preempted by Federal or State
law. This clause includes, but is not limited to, wetlands
and aquifer recharge zones, woodlands, steep slopes, prime
agricultural land, flood plains, unique natural areas and
historic sites. The plan shall be consistent with and may not
exceed those requirements imposed under