Net-Metering Slated for Execution

Net-Metering Slated for Execution

Unless we all step forward to defend this critical policy, Louisiana will be the 1st state to eliminate solar net-metering.  Under current law in Louisiana (and every other state), all energy generated by solar customers belongs to them.  Every kWh they feed onto the grid they are entitled to a credit worth a kWh in return.  At the end of the month the customer owes the utility the base customer charge plus whatever extra power they used over what they produced.  

 

The proposed rule change will force these customers to sell their power to the utility at a fraction of its value (wholesale cost $0.03-0.04/kWh)), then the Utility is allowed to sell that same energy to other customers at retail prices ($0.08/kWh). Forest Wright, Regulatory Director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy said, "There is no precedent for this change anywhere in the nation. Cmmr. Holloway is using shoddy facts to excuse wiping out thousands of dollars of investment for solar families.  This is nothing but a power grab for utilities." 

 

You can read the comments we submitted to the LPSC: February Comments 

And here: March Comments

 

The decision will be made at the April Public Service Commission Meeting on April 17, 2013.  If you have solar on your roof or if you want solar on your roof, you should come to the meeting and tell the Commission to stay the course on net-metering.  In the immortal words of James Brown: "Say it Loud! Say it Proud!"

 

Meeting starts at 9 AM and plan on being there through 1 PM.