U.S. Rep. Mike Levin calls on California PUC to reconsider net-metering proposal

On Dec. 21, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) led a letter to California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) President Marybel Batjer urging the CPUC to reconsider recently proposed changes to net energy metering (NEM) policies that would disincentivize continued adoption of rooftop solar in California. The CPUC’s proposed changes would slash the value of solar exports by approximately 80% while imposing the highest fees on solar customers in investor-owned utility territories, severely damaging the growth of rooftop solar in California.

After issuing its proposed decision in December, the CPUC opened up a 30-day public comment period, which the committee will review before making a final decision on January 14, 2022, or later.

“Net metering policies have catalyzed the growth of rooftop solar in California. In addition to the sector’s positive economic impact, the growth of rooftop solar has also helped advance our efforts to address the climate crisis and increase grid resilience. Existing policies have made rooftop solar a smart clean energy investment for all Californians, regardless of income level – currently, nearly 50% of the state’s market is in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, and over 150,000 Californians eligible for income-driven discounts on their electric bills have their own solar systems,” the Members wrote. “We are grateful for your previous commitments to advance rooftop solar and support a sustainable solar industry as part of an equitable clean energy transition. However, we are deeply concerned that CPUC’s December 13, 2021 proposed decision would actually have the opposite effect, potentially putting rooftop solar out of reach for many Californians, undermining grid resilience and making it harder for our nation to reach its national clean energy targets.”

The letter was signed by Representatives Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Katie Porter (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA).

Read the full letter below.

News item from the Office of Rep. Mike Levin

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2022/01/u-s-rep-mike-levin-calls-on-california-puc-reconsider-net-metering-proposal/