Citizens Are Protecting Rooftop Solar
Kentucky's electric utility monopolies are trying to kill competition from customers' solar panels. Thanks to citizen intervention, it's proving to be a winnable fight!
Why are Kentucky's electric utility monopolies spending millions to kill net-metering*, when state law requires them to net-meter customers' solar power only up to 1% of their total customers' power use?
As the cost has dropped, more and more customers are investing in solar power. The utilities are feeling threatened, but its our threatened climate that we must protect.
The first rate case since the utility-written revisions to Kentucky net-metering law were adopted by the legislature was filed by Kentucky Power, Inc., a subsidiary of investor-owned American Electric Power.
However, most of the Ky. Public Service Commission (PSC) rulings were victories for customers! Read this summary, by Josh Bills of the Mountain Association, one of the formal "intervenors" who helped to bring about these victories, along with LCAN members Ky. Resources Council, Ky. Solar Energy Society and Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.
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Now, it's Louisville Gas & Electric and its sister utility, Kentucky Utilities' turn. The PSC will begin its hearing on the net-metering portion of their otherwise settled recent rate cases on July 17th.
Please read the summary, above, and lend your voice in your own words:
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e-Mail your thoughts on utilities efforts to extend their monopoly onto the sun as the climate is overheating from fossil-fuel combustion to psc.info@ky.gov before 9am, Tuesday, August 17th.
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Include "Case 2020-00350" in your subject line, your name and USPS address. Note whether you're an LG&E customer. (KU customers should follow the same instructions, but use "Case 2020-00349" in their subject lines.) Your personal information will be redacted before your comments are posted online.
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If you have solar panels, also describe the benefits of net-metering with parity, such as it allows you to skip back-up batteries, reduce peak power demand, cleaner air, etc. via
* "Net-metering with parity" refers to the current requirement that electric utilities give customers credit on a 1-to-1 basis for their excess, daytime solar power, to offset the customers' night-time power use. Studies say it's a good deal for utilities, who sell afternoon power for much more than they sell power at night. Each Kentucky utility must comply only until their customers generate 1% of their system's power demand; though none has come close, they want to nip "energy freedom" in the bud.