UTAH DEBATES A TAX ON SUN

Is a fee for solar energy users a ‘sun tax’ or fair play? Solar power » State regulators to hear testimony Monday on the costs and benefits of “net-metered” residences.

Brian Maffly, July 27, 2014 The Salt Lake Tribune

“…[2,700 Rocky Mountain Power customers "net meter"] — earning credit for the excess power they produce — and this number is growing rapidly as the cost of solar installations drops. Now the utility wants to charge such customers $4.65 a month to help cover the grid’s fixed costs, those associated with transmission and distribution of electricity through a vast network of wires, transformers and substations…While this charge would raise only $150,000 in its first year, a disparate group, including local governments, businesses and religious leaders, criticizes it as a ‘sun tax’ or ‘solar penalty’ that would inhibit the market for energy from renewable sources [that bring environmental, economic, and energy security benefits and want]…the Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the fee…But the utility, joined by state regulators and consumer advocates, contends critics are ignoring a good case for imposing the charge, which is a small part of RMP’s request for a general 5 percent rate increase…” click here for more

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