Utilities Dealt Blow on Solar-Power Systems

[jpak]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324507404578594122250075566.html

Regulators in two states recently sided with the solar-power industry and homeowners who have solar-energy systems, marking defeats for electric utilities faced with a fast-growing constituency that is cutting into their revenue.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission last week rejected a proposal to raise monthly fees paid by homeowners and small businesses who install solar panels, denying a petition from Idaho Power Co., which serves Boise and other parts of southern Idaho.

That followed a June 26 decision by the Louisiana Public Service Commission to maintain payment rates that utilities must make to solar-system owners for electricity. The commission voted 3-2 against a proposed increase supported by Entergy Corp.

The two cases were part of a broader debate that has arisen with the growth of rooftop solar power and other "distributed" sources of electricity that aren't part of the traditional power grid.

<more>

[ladjf]

1. Same old song. At some point, the virtues of solar, wind and other alternatives will trample

over the fossil fuel and nuclear choices and it might happen sooner than most people think it will.

[Hydra]

2. The fact that they have to fight green energy to stay obscenely profitable

Says everything about how viable it is and what's wrong with our economic system

[ladjf]

3. Yes. Solid proof that the propaganda machine is still in charge. nt