Jan 23, 2011
Becoming a solar city
Secure Futures is working now with members of Harrisonburg City Council to pass a solar equipment tax exemption ordinance. This forward-thinking move would formally put the City on record for supporting solar for all residents and businesses in Harrisonburg.
We’ve been working with the city on this issue since the fall. At a council hearing last October, members heard testimony from EMU’s Provost Fred Kniss; Tom Domonoske, a residential solar owner; and Marie Smith of the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which has installed solar on five homes.
Now, on Tuesday, March 8, Harrisonburg City Council will take a formal vote on an ordinance to secure the tax exemption. If the ordinance passes, city residents will receive a clear signal that Harrisonburg supports solar and that their taxes will not go up if they install it on their homes.
The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 8th at 7 pm in the Harrisonburg City Council Chambers. If you’re a friend of solar power in the Shenandoah Valley, we encourage you to attend and show your support.
Written by: Tony Smith
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About The Author
Anthony Smith, PhD, is President and Founder of Secure Solar Futures. He brings over 40 years’ experience in energy efficiency, solar energy, and community economic development in Vermont, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. He founded Secure Solar Futures in 2004 as CEO and President and leads the company’s innovation development and strategic partnerships. He serves as a founding board member of the Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance (VA-REA). He served as co-director and associate professor of the Eastern Mennonite University MBA program from 2008 to 2015. He earned his Masters in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD from the Wharton School of Management, University of Pennsylvania.