Arizona Legislature Killing Solar

Feb 24 2010

Arizona Legislature Killing Solar

By Lord Solar

Today I received a very disturbing email from Solar City about how the Arizona Legislature is trying to kill renewable energy initiatives. The same initiatives that have already directly brought in significant jobs in green energy into the state, article does not name specific companies but I will, SOLAR CITY. In a nutshell, they plan to count the Palo Verde Nuclear plant as renewable, which would put the state at 11% above its 15% goal of energy from renewable sources, in essence killing any further renewable energy initiatives here in Arizona.

The irony is even APS is opposed. It seems like a bad move all around. Yes we get to meet some bureaucratic quota on paper but is it worth the loss of jobs in Arizona? I have a sneaking suspicion this is about Arizona legislature getting back at Jan Brewer, a huge driving force behind renewable initiatives, for the budget disputes last year.

Sigh, politics! I’d tar and feather some of these politicians but that wouldn’t be very ecologically friendly. Here is the email from Solar City …

SolarCity Customer Referral Center ~ www.solarcity.com/referral/

Dear SolarCity Customer,

Thank you again for choosing SolarCity as your solar power provider.

I am writing to let you know about an important policy issue that has arisen in Arizona. The Arizona legislature is holding hearings on a bill-titled HB 2701-that would change the way the state regulates solar energy. If passed, this legislation would dramatically slow down the growth of the renewable energy industry in Arizona. However, it will not affect your system. As a SolarCity customer, whether your system has been installed or not, you will continue to enjoy the same service and pricing specified in your contract.

Arizona’s abundant sunlight and pro-solar policies have allowed Arizona it to become one of the fastest growing solar regions in the world. The Arizona solar industry has continued to create new jobs all the way through the recession, and is helping customers like you lower your energy costs. Regrettably, HB 2701 proposes to change Arizona’s visionary Renewable Energy Standard (RES). The changes would allow Arizona utilities to count existing nuclear and hydroelectric power facilities to prematurely meet their renewable energy requirements. In addition, it would also add extra regulation that would slow down, if not halt altogether, other renewable energy projects in the state.

I expect there to be extensive media coverage of this issue. Today’s Arizona Republic weighed in on the issue, stating that “Arizona is developing a new source of jobs and economic energy. The Legislature should continue supporting it and reject a bill that would gut it.” Read full article. We wanted to inform you of our opposition to HB 2701, because it would have dire consequences for the future of renewable energy in Arizona. SolarCity and our industry colleagues are doing everything we can to stop it.

You are under no obligation to help, but if you would like to get involved, you can send a note to your legislator through the “Vote Solar” Organization by clicking on the following link: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/.

As always, if you have questions about your solar installation, please contact our Customer Care Team, at 1-888-765-2489 or customercare@solarcity.com.

We look forward to providing you and your neighbors with clean, renewable solar energy for many years to come. Thanks for your time, and continued support. We deeply appreciate it.

Sincerely,