This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
"At long last, the Koch brothers and their conservative allies in state government have found a new tax they can support. Naturally it's a tax on something the country needs: solar energy panels." (New York Times editorial, April 27).
Not surprisingly, our own Rocky Mountain Power proposes a new $4.25 monthly fee for customers who make personal investments in clean energy. This includes me and my solar panels.
I have a written contract with RMP to purchase energy I generate with these panels, using an arrangement called net metering (running my meter backward when I am supplying power). I pay the usual monthly service charge to maintain the RMP system and the residential rate for power I purchase. Is it fair to change this contract agreement with a new charge?
Net metering encourages solar energy. My clean energy is provided during hot summer days when usage peaks. This reduces pollution from coal and gas generation. Forward-thinking electric utilities are designing ways to increase renewables in our future energy supply. RMP is protecting the past. We must transition to a cleaner, reliable, and efficient power system now. The Public Service Commission should reject this foolish idea.
Nancy Pitblado
North Logan