Stopping SDG&E’s Disastrous Solar-Killing Rate Changes
A freight train is heading on a collision course with San Diego’s growing clean energy sector, but most San Diegans don’t even know about it.
San Diego Gas & Electric is currently asking the California Public Utilities Commission to allow drastic and sweeping changes to San Diego’s electricity rate structure.
The reason: Because of San Diego’s success as a solar energy leader (currently first in the state when it comes to solar technology installation), the utility giant has seen more and more customers “going off the grid” and relying on solar-generated power. In an attempt to secure future revenue, a rate structure has been proposed which will require a much larger set cost and less reliance on volume-determined billing. These changes will be disastrous.
At my most recent “Pathway to Prosperity” Job Creation Forum, which featured many leaders in the CleanTech industry, the question was asked: “Why aren’t there solar panels on every residence, business, school, and government facility in San Diego?” The simple answer: Cost. For years solar power was too cost-prohibitive for most individuals. Fortunately, this has started to change with increased incentives and financing available for solar technology.
Unfortunately, this progress will come to a screeching halt if SDG&E’s new rate structure is implemented. Leaders in the solar industry have pointed out that not only will San Diego’s leadership in clean technologies end; it will strike a deadly blow to the producers of these new technologies. Just when we should be doing everything possible to create new, high-paying jobs, this proposal could put many solar companies out of business or send them elsewhere. We cannot let that happen.
The good news: The City Attorney’s office has filed a protest letter with the Public Utilities Commission explaining how costly these rate changes will be. I am encouraging every SDG&E customer, elected official, and those in the CleanTech industry to join with me in protesting these rate changes with the PUC as well.
Additionally, I am asking SDG&E to avoid that fight and immediately withdraw this proposal by going back to the drawing board. Let’s get the stakeholders in the room and come up with a rate structure that won’t drive this important industry into the ground.
San Diego is quickly becoming the “CleanTech Capital of the Nation.” If this public utility is allowed to proceed with these rate changes, all of that hope and progress will be derailed.