This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Utah legislators don't like the 2,000 Utah households like mine that have roof top solar power plants. That's because Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) lobbyists are so generous with their political contributions. By owning coal mines and power plants, RMP is able sell power very cheaply, a win for Utah consumers and for them.
Until the coal runs out. What about the nagging problem of the air pollution and global warming caused by burning said cheap coal? Also, we should consider the new jobs and the untold megawatts of power that a vigorous renewable energy industry in Utah would produce.
RMP's proposed charge for home energy producers means they want me to pay them for use of the wires (used by them in receiving my excess electricity). They then retail that electricity to my neighbors at a 7 percent markup. (I produce 40 percent of my electric needs per year, but only realize a 33% reduction in my bill). Already it's a good deal for them, but it would be even better if they get approval for charging me $4.65 a month, year-round, for selling back the few kilowatts of electricity I'm not using between June and August! That's not right.
Robin E. Beasley
Sandy