Action Alert: Huge Fee Increases Proposed for Solar Energy Customers in California
January 28, 2003

[Send an Email Letter or via Fax]

What's at Stake:
In the next 30 days, the California Public Utilities Commission will rule on a proposal[read the decision on the CPUC website]l that would severely undermine the growth of solar energy in California. California's utilities - Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric - actively support the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to approve a new solar tax equivalent, known as "exit fees".

These proposed fees 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 proposed decision is approved by the full commission, exit fee charges - ranging from 2 to 5 cents per kilowatt-hour - will be charged to electricity generated by privately-owned solar electric systems. The current proposal would apply these fees to reducing 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, just like any other utility customer, solar customers are already paying higher-cost electricity rates to pay off the state investment in power supplies. 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 "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 electric systems installed in the last two years. Let's keep it going. Don't let the utilities stop this progress. Please write today.

How You can Help:
Send a copy of the attached letter(via FAX or postal mail) to protest the proposed decision on solar exit fees and urge the California Public Utilities Commission and Governor Gray Davis to support an alternate decision that would exempt all solar customers from utility exit fees.

Who and Where:

President Michael Peevey
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-703-1758 (fax)
Cc:
Commissioner Brown
Commissioner Kennedy
Commissioner Lynch
Commissioner Wood

Governor Gray Davis
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-445-4633 (fax)

When:
Today. Each Commissioner and the Governor must hear from constituents who support the continued use of solar power in California as soon as possible. This is extremely time sensitive. The earlier you register your opinion, the more influence you will have. The final decision is expected by February 27, 2003.

More Information:

Article by SolarAccess in Solar e-Clips 2003.2.7 - "Fee Proposal could harm California Solar Power"