http://www.solarexpert.com/grid-tie/Action-Alert.html
Action Alert:
Utilities Push for Huge Fee Increases
On Solar Energy Users in California
What's at stake:
In the next 30 days, the California Public Utilities Commission will rule on a proposal that would severely undermine the growth of solar energy in California. California's powerful private utilities - Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric - are lobbying the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to approve a new solar tax equivalent, known as "exit fees", which would dramatically increase the costs of using solar energy for utility customers. The proposal would give utilities the right to install meters that measure solar production on privately owned solar energy systems and increase the cost of this solar energy for customers by up to 40 percent. Help stop this bad idea from becoming public policy before it's too late.Background:
If the utilities get their way, exit fee charges - ranging from 2 to 5 cents per kilowatt-hour - will be charged to electricity generated by privately owned solar energy systems. The utilities want to use these fees to reduce the debt California incurred from buying lots of expensive (and dirty) power during the energy crisis. But, creating a disincentive for the public to install solar energy systems goes in the wrong direction. It is bad for our state's energy independence and bad for the environment.Solar energy is helping to generate new jobs and tax revenues in California and diminishing the state's vulnerability to energy price hikes. Utility-imposed "exit fees" would create a huge roadblock to these goals. The CPUC is expected to vote on this issue in late February. It is not too late to change the outcome.
Why this is unfair
Individuals, businesses and government agencies that install solar systems still buy most of their power from utilities. Thus, solar owners are already paying the same overall higher-cost electricity rates to pay off the state investment in power supplies as other utility customer. In addition, customer-owned solar power provides important public benefits by delivering non-polluting electricity during peak demand periods, when the dirtiest electric generators often come on line to meet utility power needs. This contribution should be rewarded, not penalized.The Alternative:
The California Public Utilities Commission has the authority to protect California's solar customers from utility proposed "exit fees". As a result of tremendous efforts by California lawmakers and the public to support solar energy, California enjoyed a 1000% growth in the number of large solar energy systems installed in the last two years. Let's keep it going. Don't let the utilities stop this progress. Please write today.
What you can do
Send a copy of the attached letter to protest the proposed solar exit fees and urge the California Public Utilities Commission and Governor Gray Davis to do everything to continue promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in California.
Who and Where:
President Michael Peevey
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Cc:
Commissioner Brown
Commissioner Kennedy
Commissioner Lynch
Commissioner Wood
Governor Gray Davis
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Sample Exit Fee Letter
CPUC Website - Exit Fee Information Page
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12439 Magnolia Blvd. #132
North Hollywood, CA 91607
Phone: 818.566.6870
Fax: 818.566.6879
State of California - Contractor License Number - C46 Solar 685319
