Rep. Sherrill Tours GAF's NJ Offices, Highlights RAISE The Roof Act

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) toured GAF's facilities in Parsipanny, New Jersey to highlight the company's work and discuss her recently introduced legislation, the Revamping Appropriate Incentives for Solar Energy for (RAISE) the Roof Act. 

Through the RAISE the Roof Act, the solar investment tax credit (ITC) would be expanded to include integrated solar roofs like the ones manufactured by GAF Energy.

“I was thrilled to be able to highlight the RAISE the Roof Act alongside the GAF and GAF Energy teams who are helping New Jersey remain a leader in the clean energy economy,” Rep. Sherrill said. “One of our biggest challenges in confronting the climate crisis is making clean energy technologies more accessible for families and businesses. This bill removes some of the financial barriers and modernizes the current tax credit law to keep up with the tech advancements we’ve seen in solar."

Only the most traditional, large-scale solar panels qualify for the investment tax credit and new innovations like solar integrated roofing products are not covered. 

The RAISE the Roof Act allows the entirety of an integrated solar roof to be covered by the investment tax credit.

“For too long rooftop solar policy has ignored the roof," added Martin DeBono, president of GAF Energy. "Now, with the RAISE the Roof Act, Rep. Sherrill has introduced a bill that would remedy that problem. It’s the type of smart policy that will unleash innovation in the sector. Passing RAISE would support thousands of jobs here in New Jersey and across the country, help consumers, and propel us to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

As chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology’s Environment Subcommittee, Rep. Sherrill is an advocate for the development of clean energy. 

Last month, she convened a roundtable with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and local environmental business leaders, including GAF CEO Jim Schnepper, to discuss the RAISE the Roof Act, the future of New Jersey’s clean energy economy, and the attending businesses’ contributions to this effort.

“It was an honor to host Congresswoman Sherrill at our headquarters to show her how our research and development are leading the industry forward in new and exciting ways,” GAF CEO Jim Schnepper said. “We are thinking beyond traditional manufacturing processes and roofing materials to develop new offerings including integrated solar, recycled asphalt shingles, and non-asphaltic materials, and we are excited to have a great champion like Rep. Sherrill who is committed to helping our industry bring that innovation forward to customers.”