Strong Support for Net Metering at the PUC Public Hearing
I testified with many of you at Monday’s CO PUC public comment session on net metering. It was a huge success with almost 100 pro-solar supporters showing up filling both PUC hearing rooms and over-flowing into the halls – thanks to the mobilizing efforts of all of you! The crowd was a diverse mix – ranchers, teachers, moms – but the message was consistent: Coloradans overwhelmingly support protecting policies that are making rooftop solar more affordable and accessible to Coloradans. Unfortunately the Denver Post’s coverage of the event did’t quite illustrate the tremendous outpouring of support for net metering and rooftop solar on display.
The commentors were articulate and passionate, noting that rooftop solar makes the grid stronger, gives consumers control over their energy futures, helps our state diversify its economy and safeguard its environment. These impassioned rooftop solar supporters outnumbered the few detractors 16 to 1.
Yesterday’s public comment session was an opportunity for the public to let the Commission know that as they embark on evaluating net metering, the public wants a transparent and inclusive process that fairly values the benefits of rooftop solar.
Public participation couldn’t be more important given that Xcel Energy has already filed comments asking for a process that limits meaningful stakeholder engagement and puts Xcel right back in the driver’s seat.
If you couldn’t make it out to the public comment session, it’s still not to late to speak up in support of a fair and transparent process for evaluating rooftop solar. Click here to let your Commissioners know that you are paying attention to this issue. We can’t let Xcel hold all of the cards when it comes to charting the path forward for Colorado’s clean energy.
We’ll be back in touch soon with next steps in the campaign to protect rooftop solar in Colorado.
Can you help us spread the word about the actual facts of the day? Please tweet and post one of the following from our friends at Vote Solar:
Sample tweets/FB Posts
Standing room only as solar supporters flood the CO PUC http://votesolar.org/2014/02/04/colorado-solar-supporters-flood-the-puc/ #cosolarrights #copolitics