Consumer Protection

An attempt to circumvent the state’s already-limited net metering guidelines has been overturned in court, in a decision that distributed generation advocates see as an important step in strengthening the state’s market.

Under the new rules, all public utility customers are eligible for a $3,000.00 upfront cash rebate for any 3 kW-6 kW that is used, at least in part, for self-supply, while all customers at or below 250% of the federal poverty line can receive a 2 cent/kWh adder to their net metering rate.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s most recent report, Advancing Equity in Utility Regulation, tackles the idea that that utilities, regulators, and stakeholders need to prioritize energy equity in the deployment of clean energy technologies and resources.

Reactivate will also look to bring small-scale utility solar projects, energy storage, building electrification, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure to underserved communities, creating jobs for disadvantaged and transitioning energy workers along the way.

48 of the initial 83 companies have been found to have not be manufacturing or exporting any subject merchandise.

The Tennessee-based power provider is trying to bar approval of a solar co-op in its territory. Project supporters are accusing TVA of protecting a monopoly.

While federal policy action (or inaction) grabs all the headlines, let’s look back at some of the most impactful state and local developments from 2021.

16 corporate sponsors and 60 individual donors helped to raise roughly $43,900 to ease the energy burden of 176 low-income families in Colorado, which can be up to 20% of their monthly income.

Also on the rise: Clean energy bonds issued in California, EV charging stations with integrated advertising space, DART mission uses solar power to redirect Earthbound asteroids, and the Bezos Earth Fund supports tribal-led program.

The lawsuit stems from a 2019 whistleblower complaint alleging that the company failed to properly notify its shareholders, customers and the public of fire risks associated with solar panel system defects over the course of several years.