Missoula County supports HB 448: Increasing the cap on non-residential net metering systems, up for hearing this afternoon in the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee. This bill would increase the size cap for non-residential net metered systems from 50 kilowatts to 350 kilowatts. This would lower barriers to private investment in small renewable energy systems by allowing businesses and agricultural producers to meet a greater proportion of their own energy needs onsite. It would also increase opportunities for public entities such as schools and local governments (including Missoula County) to save taxpayer dollars over the long term by investing in their own energy production and reducing their utility bills.
Missoula County supports HB 448: Increasing the cap on non-residential net metering systems, up for second reading on the house floor this morning. This bill would increase the size cap for non-residential net metered systems from 50 kilowatts to 350 kilowatts. This would lower barriers to private investment in small renewable energy systems by allowing businesses and agricultural producers to meet a greater proportion of their own energy needs onsite. It would also increase opportunities for public entities such as schools and local governments (including Missoula County) to save taxpayer dollars over the long term by investing in their own energy production and reducing their utility bills.
Missoula County supports HB 448: Increasing the cap on non-residential net metering systems, up for hearing in the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee this afternoon. This bill would increase the size cap for non-residential net metered systems from 50 kilowatts to 350 kilowatts. This would lower barriers to private investment in small renewable energy systems by allowing businesses and agricultural producers to meet a greater proportion of their own energy needs onsite. It would also increase opportunities for public entities such as schools and local governments (including Missoula County) to save taxpayer dollars over the long term by investing in their own energy production and reducing their utility bills.
Missoula County opposes HB 448 as amended: Increasing the cap on non-residential net metering systems, scheduled for second reading today on the Senate floor.
Missoula County previously supported HB 448, which would have increased the size cap for non-residential net metered systems, making it possible for businesses, agricultural producers, and public entities like schools and local governments to meet a larger proportion of their own energy needs with rooftop solar.
Unfortunately, as amended in the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, this bill would have the opposite of its intended effect by creating major barriers to rooftop solar development. Among other things, it would require all net metered customers (even residential customers) to “employ a qualified, onsite employee,” paid at prevailing wages, who is responsible for inspecting the system in the case of a power outage. This would put solar out of reach for homeowners and most businesses, who are in no position to employ someone on-site for this purpose. The bill would also harm Montana’s solar industry by requiring solar owners to hire electricians (whether or not they have solar experience) rather than qualified solar contractors to conduct operational and maintenance tasks. Finally, the amended bill would effectively require the PSC to change the rate for net metered customers, despite the fact that the PSC recently concluded that changes to the rate are not justified.
HB 448, as amended, would harm the many Missoula County residents and businesses who have invested in solar, as well as our local solar industry.
Missoula County opposes HB 448 as amended: Increasing the cap on non-residential net metering systems, scheduled for second reading today on the House floor.
Missoula County previously supported HB 448, which would have increased the size cap for non-residential net metered systems, making it possible for businesses, agricultural producers, and public entities like schools and local governments to meet a larger proportion of their own energy needs with rooftop solar.
Unfortunately, as amended in the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, this bill would have the opposite of its intended effect by creating major barriers to rooftop solar development. Among other things, it would require all net metered customers (even residential customers) to “employ a qualified, onsite employee,” paid at prevailing wages, who is responsible for inspecting the system in the case of a power outage. This would put solar out of reach for homeowners and most businesses, who are in no position to employ someone on-site for this purpose. The bill would also harm Montana’s solar industry by requiring solar owners to hire electricians (whether or not they have solar experience) rather than qualified solar contractors to conduct operational and maintenance tasks. Finally, the amended bill would effectively require the PSC to change the rate for net metered customers, despite the fact that the PSC recently concluded that changes to the rate are not justified.
HB 448, as amended, would harm the many Missoula County residents and businesses who have invested in solar, as well as our local solar industry.
Sent Feb. 22:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives Olsen and Sullivan,
Missoula County supports HB 448: Increasing the cap on non-residential net metering systems, up for hearing this afternoon in the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee. This bill would increase the size cap for non-residential net metered systems from 50 kilowatts to 350 kilowatts. This would lower barriers to private investment in small renewable energy systems by allowing businesses and agricultural producers to meet a greater proportion of their own energy needs onsite. It would also increase opportunities for public entities such as schools and local governments (including Missoula County) to save taxpayer dollars over the long term by investing in their own energy production and reducing their utility bills.
Please support HB 448.
Representatives,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County supports HB 448: Increasing the cap on non-residential net metering systems, up for second reading on the house floor this morning. This bill would increase the size cap for non-residential net metered systems from 50 kilowatts to 350 kilowatts. This would lower barriers to private investment in small renewable energy systems by allowing businesses and agricultural producers to meet a greater proportion of their own energy needs onsite. It would also increase opportunities for public entities such as schools and local governments (including Missoula County) to save taxpayer dollars over the long term by investing in their own energy production and reducing their utility bills.
Please support HB 448.
Senator Sands,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County supports HB 448: Increasing the cap on non-residential net metering systems, up for hearing in the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee this afternoon. This bill would increase the size cap for non-residential net metered systems from 50 kilowatts to 350 kilowatts. This would lower barriers to private investment in small renewable energy systems by allowing businesses and agricultural producers to meet a greater proportion of their own energy needs onsite. It would also increase opportunities for public entities such as schools and local governments (including Missoula County) to save taxpayer dollars over the long term by investing in their own energy production and reducing their utility bills.
Please support HB 448.
Sent April 13:
ReplyDeleteSenators,
Missoula County opposes HB 448 as amended: Increasing the cap on non-residential net metering systems, scheduled for second reading today on the Senate floor.
Missoula County previously supported HB 448, which would have increased the size cap for non-residential net metered systems, making it possible for businesses, agricultural producers, and public entities like schools and local governments to meet a larger proportion of their own energy needs with rooftop solar.
Unfortunately, as amended in the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, this bill would have the opposite of its intended effect by creating major barriers to rooftop solar development. Among other things, it would require all net metered customers (even residential customers) to “employ a qualified, onsite employee,” paid at prevailing wages, who is responsible for inspecting the system in the case of a power outage. This would put solar out of reach for homeowners and most businesses, who are in no position to employ someone on-site for this purpose. The bill would also harm Montana’s solar industry by requiring solar owners to hire electricians (whether or not they have solar experience) rather than qualified solar contractors to conduct operational and maintenance tasks. Finally, the amended bill would effectively require the PSC to change the rate for net metered customers, despite the fact that the PSC recently concluded that changes to the rate are not justified.
HB 448, as amended, would harm the many Missoula County residents and businesses who have invested in solar, as well as our local solar industry.
Representatives,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes HB 448 as amended: Increasing the cap on non-residential net metering systems, scheduled for second reading today on the House floor.
Missoula County previously supported HB 448, which would have increased the size cap for non-residential net metered systems, making it possible for businesses, agricultural producers, and public entities like schools and local governments to meet a larger proportion of their own energy needs with rooftop solar.
Unfortunately, as amended in the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, this bill would have the opposite of its intended effect by creating major barriers to rooftop solar development. Among other things, it would require all net metered customers (even residential customers) to “employ a qualified, onsite employee,” paid at prevailing wages, who is responsible for inspecting the system in the case of a power outage. This would put solar out of reach for homeowners and most businesses, who are in no position to employ someone on-site for this purpose. The bill would also harm Montana’s solar industry by requiring solar owners to hire electricians (whether or not they have solar experience) rather than qualified solar contractors to conduct operational and maintenance tasks. Finally, the amended bill would effectively require the PSC to change the rate for net metered customers, despite the fact that the PSC recently concluded that changes to the rate are not justified.
HB 448, as amended, would harm the many Missoula County residents and businesses who have invested in solar, as well as our local solar industry.
Please oppose HB 448.