Thank you! Consider amplifying your impact with these additional actions
1) Call your Assemblymember and Senator
Lawmakers tell us all the time that phone calls are powerful and can really influence their decisions.
Look up your legislators here:
Here is a sample phone message, feel free to personalize:
“My name is ____. I live in _________. Please don’t believe the utilities’ lies about rooftop solar. Rates are high because of out-of-control utility spending, and the CPUC’s failure to do their job. Instead of scapegoating people with solar, lawmakers should control utility spending. That’s the way to actually lower rates.”
2) Speak to your legislators face-to-face
Many legislators have local open houses or town hall events where you can speak with them directly about issues like this.
Use the above form to look up their contact information, visit their website, and get on their mailing list to get a heads up about their local events. In addition, here is a list of upcoming town hall meetings we know of.
We are holding a training on how to talk to your legislators every Thursday at 2:30pm. Register here.
Here are tips for what to say to your legislators if you do meet with them:
- Assume good intentions. This is a chance for you to educate them about the utilities misinformation, and give them the facts.
- The most important point to make: The utilities are lying about rooftop solar. 92% of the rates hikes are a direct result of out-of-control utility spending on poles and wires. Rates don’t go up when people make their own energy any more then when they turn off the lights or hang dry their clothes. Go after utility overspending, not everyday consumers who are doing the right thing.
- This information sheet can help you make an “elevator pitch”.
- Pose a question: “Will you help push back on the utilities lies about rooftop solar?”
- Don’t monopolize their time. Other constituents will want to speak too. Be brief. Consider practicing what you will say beforehand.
- If you attend, let us know how it went.
If you have questions before you attend:
- Give us a holler by emailing [email protected] or register for one of our trainings every Thursday at 2:30. We’re happy to help you!
3) Spread the word
Here’s a sample message you can email or post on social media such as Next Door or Facebook.
Subject: Some information for people concerned about high electricity rates and consumer choice
The utilities are lying about rooftop solar to deflect the blame away from themselves for high rates. Consider these facts:
- 92% of the recent rate hikes are a direct result of utility overspending on long-distance power lines.
- The state government guarantees the utilities an 8-10% profit from every dollar they spend on long-distance power lines.
- Utility spending on long-distance poles and wires increased 300% since 2002—even though peak electricity demand was flat. Utility profits are soaring as a result.
- Blaming rooftop solar users for high rates is as absurd as blaming people for turning off their lights or hang-drying their clothing. The utilities seem to think ratepayers are obligated to pay them regardless of how much electricity they use. We must push back on that fallacy!
- It’s time for our leaders to stand up to the utilities and control their overspending, rather than blame consumers who are simply trying to protect themselves.
Learn more and take action: https://solarrights.org/cost-shift
