Pennsylvania
House budget bill would slash Pa. schools’ savings from planned solar projects

‘Less savings’ without federal tax credits
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act allowed tax-exempt entities, like local governments and schools, to utilize clean energy tax credits for the first time. These credits offer reimbursement payments to schools that cover 30% or more of the costs of a solar project.
The Upper Darby School District expected these federal tax credits to cover over $2 million of the total $9 million cost of its six solar projects.
But the timelines set out in the House bill would likely be difficult, if not impossible for the district to meet, because the district needs to vet and choose contractors, get approval from the school board, acquire supplies through the contractors and wait until schools are closed during the summer to begin construction, officials said. Districts also need approval from utilities to connect the projects to the local grid.
The soonest the Upper Darby School District could start to build its solar projects would be next summer, officials said.
Without the federal tax credits, the solar projects would eat up most of the district’s yearly capital budget at a time when federal funding for operational costs is uncertain, McGarry said. This could mean sacrificing crucial facilities projects, such as replacing windows, renovating old bathrooms and upgrading security systems, he said.
“We can’t afford to do that,” McGarry said.
The Upper Darby School District is not alone. The William Penn School District would not be able to complete a Solar for Schools project planned for Park Lane Elementary School without the federal tax credit, said district Chief of Operations Darnell Deans.
“As our district is under-resourced and we are still advocating for our appropriate level of funding, our district will not be able to proceed with this project without the tax credit,” Deans wrote in an email.
Pennsylvania state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, who sponsored the Solar for Schools legislation, said she’s confident the projects will still save schools money, even if the schools are not able to use the federal tax credits.
“Obviously, if the federal IRA incentives for renewable energy are cut, that would mean less savings for schools,” she wrote in a statement.
When awarding the state grants, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development believed the schools could complete the projects without the federal tax credits, said spokesperson Justin Backover.
Still, Shannon Crooker, Pennsylvania director at the nonprofit renewable energy advocacy organization Generation180, worries these slimmer savings would force many districts to abandon the projects.
“We’re at risk of losing a lot of great investment,” she said.

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The Pretzel Capital Of The World Is Located In This Pennsylvania City
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Believe it or not, the pretzel capital of the world is not in Munich or Würzburg, but rather in the small Pennsylvania city of Reading. In the 1700s, German immigrants who moved to Pennsylvania brought with them a love of soft, lye-boiled, hand-twisted breads. These immigrants settled in areas like Lititz and Lancaster, where early bakers laid the foundation for large-scale commercial pretzel making.
According to the Berks History Center, Julius Sturgis opened a commercial pretzel bakery in Lititz, near Reading, in 1861, widely credited with being the first. However there are also reports that a man named Benjamin Lichtenthaler built the first such bakery in 1860, or that a baker named John Sauermilch set up shop even earlier, around 1846.
Regardless, what is certain is that the city attracted a host of pretzel makers, and by the late 19th century, dozens of bakeries operated across the city, producing everything from traditional twists to innovative pretzel sticks. According to a local history website, at one point, Reading was home to 26 different bakeries, which earned it the nickname “Pretzel City.” By the 1940s, Reading was responsible for producing one-third of all pretzels baked in the United States. According to a local tourism guide, Pennsylvania continues to dominate the pretzel industry today, with about 80% of U.S. pretzels made in the state.
Read more: Foods Anthony Bourdain Hated With A Passion
From pretzel twists to pretzel sticks
A bunch of salty pretzel sticks. – Bhofack2/Getty Images
Prior to ever reaching U.S. shores, pretzels were popular in western Europe as soft breads, with that characteristic twist. But once they reached the U.S. their form and texture began to shift. The Tom Sturgis company (operated by descendants of the original Julius Sturgis) states it produced the first crisp, hard pretzels in the U.S. While soft pretzels remain beloved, hard pretzels became the industry standard as they are easier to store and ship.
Other companies such as Unique Snacks, and Faller’s Pretzels established themselves in Reading and surrounding Berks County and similarly began experimenting with these hard pretzels. Faller’s Pretzels became known for thin crunchy pretzel sticks, cut to snacking size.
From pretzel twists dipped in chocolate or pretzel nuggets stuffed with peanut butter, Pennsylvania bakeries keep reinventing a centuries-old snack. Today’s pretzel aisles are filled with modern spins, like pretzel sandwich buns, and super light extra thins. And let’s not forget, the introduction of the butter pretzel — which adds shortening to the dough for a richer, more indulgent taste — is a distinctly modern twist on the original austere recipe.
Ways to enjoy your salty Reading treat
A handful of crunchy pretzel twists. – New Africa/Shutterstock
The enduring appeal of pretzels lies in their remarkable salty flexibility. If you’re seeking a traditional, hands-on experience, you can easily make soft pretzels at home, using a bit of lye to achieve that fresh chewy taste.
However if you want to enjoy the crunchy hard-baked Reading speciality, there are endless options. Try crushing hard pretzels for a salty pie crust that goes great with a creamy pumpkin cheese cake and delivers an unreal sweet-and-salty combo. Or crumble some pretzel sticks on top of a rich baked mac and cheese right before you put it in the oven for a crispy crust. Similarly add a fine layer of crushed pretzel dust to your next shepard’s pie for a crunchy finish. Of course, the simplest and perhaps most authentic way to enjoy this Pennsylvania specialty remains enjoying them in their purest form: straight from the bag as a perfectly portable and satisfying snack.
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Read the original article on Food Republic.
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