The utilities are the masterminds behind the smear campaign against rooftop solar
For those who are curious, the three investor-owned utilities – PG&E, SoCal Edison and SDG&E – are behind the pressure and misinformation campaign to kill rooftop solar. The utilities’ campaign against rooftop solar is being waged by a nice-sounding front group called “Affordable Clean Energy for All”. They have a slick website called Fix the Cost Shift. They claim to…
The Solar Tax is Back (and the Solar Cliff, too)
On May 9th, the CPUC formally requested input on three changes they are considering to rooftop solar net metering. Among these changes is a Solar Tax of $300 to $600 per year on average. In other words, the CPUC appears to be pursuing a re-packaged version of their disastrous proposal in December. As we feared, the utilities have so captured…
Mia Livas Porter is the best choice for Assembly District 52
Mia Livas Porter is a rooftop solar supporter who is running to represent California Assembly District 52. Solar Rights Alliance has decided to endorse Mia. This is the first time Solar Rights Alliance has endorsed any candidate running for the Legislature. We want to share our reasons for taking this unprecedented step. 1) Mia Livas Porter is running to replace…
2022 Rooftop Solar Legislative Candidate Questionnaire Results
Skip to the questionnaire responses What we did In April, we asked candidates who are running for a seat in the California legislature to complete a questionnaire about the candidates’ views on rooftop solar. See the questions we asked. We asked three sets of questions: Stances on specific aspects of rooftop solar policy Stances on CPUC governance and conflicts of…
Webinar replay: Where the fight to defend rooftop solar stands
On April 27th, we held a webinar to outline where the fight to defend rooftop solar stands, what the public can expect next from the CPUC, and what people can do to make their voices heard. Watch the webinar here:
The CPUC went on tour to sell utility propaganda against rooftop solar
Following weeks of silence, the first substantive remarks on rooftop solar have started to trickle out of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). These remarks paint the picture of a government agency unabashedly selling utility propaganda against rooftop solar. They also suggest that the CPUC didn’t actually get the overwhelming message from the public, and is planning to reissue a…
The Sneaky Solar Tax lurking in the shadows
In February, thanks to a massive public outcry, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) shelved their proposal to slap consumers with a Solar Tax averaging $700 per year. But since then, the CPUC and Gov. Newsom have been silent on what comes next. It’s possible they are working on other ways to sneak the Solar Tax back to the table….
When the Berkeley name is used to vilify rooftop solar
The Energy Institute at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley (Haas Energy Institute) is often cited in news stories and government reports as an ‘independent’ academic source for information about rooftop solar. The Haas Energy Institute’s director is frequently called upon to provide research for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and sits on the Board of the…
California’s Ratepayer Advocate Working Against Rooftop Solar
The Utility Reform Network (TURN) has been an advocate for ratepayers, lobbying the CPUC to keep utility bills low. TURN’s fight has been an uphill battle, as California’s crazy high electricity bills indicate. But TURN certainly gets an E for effort. Unfortunately, TURN is now using their reputation to attack rooftop solar, using the same arguments as the utilities. They…
Guest post: Response to Utility-Led Arguments Against Against Rooftop Solar
Editor’s Note: Bill Powers is a well-regarded engineer and policy expert. He sits on the Board of Directors of the Protect Our Communities Foundation, a San Diego-based nonprofit conservation group. Solar Rights Alliance invited Mr. Powers to submit this guest post to help clarify the misinformation that utilities and others are spreading through the media. Guest Blog Post: Response to…