OKlahoma doubles down on stupid...taxing green energy

[randys1]

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/04/16/3427392/oklahoma-fee-solar-wind/

Oklahoma residents who produce their own energy through solar panels or small wind turbines on their property will now be charged an additional fee, the result of a new bill passed by the state legislature and expected to be signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin (R).

On Monday, S.B. 1456 passed the state House 83-5 after no debate. The measure creates a new class of customers: those who install distributed power generation systems like solar panels or small wind turbines on their property and sell the excess energy back to the grid. While those with systems already installed won’t be affected, the new class of customers will now be charged a monthly fee — a shift that happened quickly and caught many in the state off guard.

“We knew nothing about it and all of a sudden it’s attached to some other bill,” Ctaci Gary, owner of Sun City Oklahoma, told ThinkProgress. “It just appeared out of nowhere.”

Teaparty, rightwing etc., as I have said before FAR MORE dangerous to human life than 100 Al Qaeda's

[agbdf]

1. Tax is fair play for rich who can afford this luxury

I can't afford to convert to this but I wish I could. It is expensive to install and I feel that the rich who can afford this should pay a tax (their fair share) and perhaps they can use the additional revenue to help people like me to afford this technology.

[DustyJoe]

3. Not Rich

I' m retired on SS and buy parts as I can afford it.
100 watt solar panels are running about $125.00 apiece for good european (not chinese) mfg. You can start small 100watts at a time and upgrade as you can afford it. I have been building mine a piece at a time. Started with just 200watts solar, a couple of marine batteries and a small invertor. Over the past 2 years I have expanded it to 400watt solar and 500watt wind and more batteries. It will never run the entire house (yet), but what I can run off of it is making a 10-20% dent in my utility bill.

The advantage is you can grow it as you can afford it small chunks at a time. Plus it's really easy to install yourself, all the information is out on the web as to optimum panel angles for the season changes and the suppliers provide all the wiring specifics.

I just do NOT grid tie and try to sell excess to the utility exposing me to fees and taxes like the OP. I use all I can produce.

[randys1]

4. If that was why the tax existed

then you might have something there, but be sure this is a penalty against greenness

[roody]

5. I'm not rich but I'm committed.

I have solar because it is a priority.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

8. No

People should be getting subsidies to convert to green energy, not getting taxed. I think it is pretty obvious who this tax favors.

[chrisstopher]

2. Just great

I really love Oklahoma, but sometimes, between "Hotpants" Fallen, Jim Inhoff and all the rest of the Republican assholes running this state, I'm ashamed to say I live here.

[oldhippie]

6. It's not a tax

Sloppy reporting, as usual.

[ladjf]

7. Their Governor, Mary Fallin is among the worst Republican leaders.

Without fail she supports all of the meanest Republican positions with total disregard for the people of Oklahoma.

[plcdude]

9. I second

that from personal experience