CA, US & World
Demonstrators Rally in Cathedral City to Keep Rooftop Solar Growing and Affordable
Climate activists, green workers and neighbors alike called on the governor and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to keep rooftop solar growing and affordable.
This comes as the CPUC is considering changes to net energy metering, a state policy that makes solar more affordable by crediting consumers for producing excess energy and sharing it with neighbors.
New changes in their proposal could make solar more expensive, immediately cut net energy metering credits by 75%, and even eliminate green jobs here in the state.
“If rooftop solar goes away, it has nothing to do with market forces or with the people who are here today who are actively working to put solar on rooftops,” CEO and Founder of Renova Energy, Vincent Battaglia, said. “It has everything to do with the electric utilities, who are very rapidly going bankrupt and are trying to grab at anything they can in order to stop their number one competitor, which is rooftop solar.”
On the other hand, the Affordable Clean Energy for All coalition supports this proposal, but says it doesn’t go far enough to address the inequities in the rooftop solar program.
The coalition says they support rooftop solar, but the program the utilities commission organized has not been touched since the mid-90s, which means the original subsidies haven’t changed either.
Since then, solar panels have gotten cheaper but the original subsidies are still benefiting those who are homeowners or those who are on the wealthier end of the socio-economic ladder.
“The program you can see is way out of whack,” Affordable Clean Energy for All Spokesperson Kathy Fairbanks shared. “The people who pay for these subsidies are people who don’t have solar panels. People who don’t have solar panels tend to be low income, seniors on fixed incomes, people who live in apartments, and a lot of people from disadvantaged communities.”
Fairbanks said those who don’t have solar are paying nearly $300 more per year to cover the costs for people who do have solar.
She mentioned those who have a negative utility bill are not paying into low income and energy efficient programs and are not paying to keep the grid going, which means those who don’t have solar panels are carrying those costs.
A vote on the proposed decision by the CPUC is expected on December 15.
By: Carmela Karcher
December 1, 2022
Latest Instagram Posts
About 650,000 ballots and election materials are back with Riverside County election officials after the California Supreme Court ruled their seizure violated state election law. The materials remain under the registrar’s control as officials determine next steps.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Do you get excited or stressed about the upcoming holiday season (or both) ?
BREAKING: Human remains believed to be those of 17-year-old T’neya Tovar have been discovered at a second site in the Salton City area, according to the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office. A skull and rib cage were found during a search involving Imperial County investigators and the FBI. Testing is still needed to confirm the remains belong to Tovar. The discovery comes one day after suspect Finebloom pleaded guilty to torture and voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea agreement that could result in a sentence of 13 years to life. More details on NBCPalmSprings.com
NBC Palm Springs went back to Indio Hills today after Dillon Road flooded last night, forcing many residents to leave. One resident told us he is back today, working on repairs—after his home faced extensive damage in the flood. be sure to visit nbcpalmsprings.com for a live look at the area today. #coachellavalley #weather #flood #indiohills #weather
This afternoon in Salton City, the FBI and Imperial County Sheriff’s Department were in the neighborhood of Abraham Feinbloom. Searching just after a plea deal was made to where Feinbloom agreed to show investigators where the remains of T’Neya Tovar are. Feinbloom pled guilty to one count of torture and voluntary manslaughter. Tonight you’ll hear from neighbors who have been following the case from the very beginning, that story will be on nbcpalmsprings.com #nbcpalmsprings #abrahamfeinbloom #fyp #murdercase #missingteenager
“WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?” Why won’t CVUSD just open the books? Drop your thoughts below 👇 #therogginreport #cvusd #coachellavalley #localnews #nbcpalmsprings
🌧️ Flash flooding swept across parts of the Coachella Valley overnight, leaving vehicles stranded and roads closed. CHP and emergency crews responded as water, rocks and debris impacted roadways in Indio Hills and along Dillon Road. Drivers in that area are urged to use alternate routes.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Who’s your baseball team?
Salton city resident Abraham Feinbloom is expected to take a plea deal in the murder case of 17 year old T’Neya Tovar. Under the plea deal obtained by the Imperial County Criminal Courthouse, Feinbloom will plead guilty to one count of torture and voluntary manslaughter. According to court records, he is also expected to assist law enforcement in finding the rest of the victim’s remains. Our @newsbyalondra will be inside the courtroom for his official sentencing Tuesday, September 29th with the very latest.
“Of you can’t find things out as a Board President… then what are they hiding?” Why is the elected board president being blocked from financial records? Drop your thoughts below👇 #therogginreport #coachellavalley #coachella #localnews #nbcpalmsprings