Kaua’i Island expects to obliterate its solar goal five years early
Not content to rest on its laurels, the island’s utility cooperative board set a new goal of producing 70% of its energy from renewables by 2030.
El Paso Electric’s 2017 rate case asks to discriminate against solar customers
The case includes a request to create a special rate class for solar distributed-generation customers, including a new demand charge, to “establish a fair rate structure that reflects the cost to serve each customer class.”
Montana plans 80 MW solar farm amid legislative uncertainty
In another baffling tale of state’s solar-policy split personality, the Treasure State is planning a 480-acre solar farm while the legislature simultaneously tries to snuff out its nascent solar industry.
Maine’s LePage tweets latest attacks on solar
In his ongoing efforts to eliminate the underpinnings of a successful solar industry, Maine’s buffoonish chief executive slams solar on Twitter and suggests all Public Utilities Commissioners resign in the wake of a Maine solar compromise reached last month.
SEIA seeks Midwest expansion
The national solar association is setting up a committee to focus on solar expansion in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin in a move designed to refocus the association on state-level policy battles, which are where most observers believe the future of solar will now be decided.
Missing commissioners leave FERC staff to pick up pieces
Down three commissioners thanks to untimely resignations, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission can’t field a quorum, leaving them only the option of delegating many of their duties to commission staffers.
South Carolina conservatives jump on solar bandwagon
The Palmetto Conservative Solar Coalition, headed by a former congressman, cheered the National Solar Job Census’ finding that South Carolina had added 1,000 jobs last year and called for the legislature to support the solar industry with free-market approaches.
TEP tacks on a special solar fee in new rate plan
Tucson Electric Power is the first Arizona utility to finalize a rate plan since the Arizona Corporation Commission all but ended net-metering in the state for new customers – and they are taking advantage of it.
Ice Energy to deliver residential storage solution to Southern California utility
Storage provider Ice Energy has signed a contract with the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) to provide its innovative Ice Bear 20 ice battery system for use in up to 100 residential locations.
House considers eliminating the EPA
H.R. 861, introduced last week by freshman Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), has one simple objective stated right in its title: to terminate the Environmental Protection Agency.
