Metering still national issue

The decision by the Nevada Public Utilities Commission to layer net metering with new fees is drawing continued comment across the nation, much of it likely to persuade alternative energy firms to look elsewhere.

Bloomberg Businessweek magazine reported on Jan. 28, “First, NV Energy deployed its lobbyists to limit the total amount of energy homeowners and small businesses were allowed to generate to 3 percent of peak capacity for all utilities. Then it expertly argued its case before regulators, who rewrote the rules for net-metering customers. In December it scored a major win: Nevada’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) imposed rules that not only make it more expensive to go solar, but also make it uneconomical for those who’ve already signed up. Similar regulatory skirmishes are playing out in dozens of other states, but no other has gone as far as Nevada to undermine homeowners who’ve already installed solar arrays.”

The headline in Investor’s Business Daily: “Will Nevada Net-Metering Vote Cripple Solar Financing?”

London Guardian: “Nevada solar industry collapses after state lets power company raise fees.”

Meanwhile, an initiative petition has been filed to end NV Energy’s monopoly by breaking up the corporation. It was sponsored by an outfit called Nevadans for Affordable, Clean Energy Choices.