Nadia Prupis at Common Dreams writes—Big Win for Rooftop Solar as California Vote Boosts Clean Energy:
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Thursday approved a plan that leaves the state's rooftop solar incentives program largely intact, vindicating environmental and consumer advocates who went up against private interests looking to ratchet up the initiative's price points.
In a 3-2 vote, CPUC upheld the program, which gives subsidies to homeowners who transition to renewable energy. More than half of the solar-paneled households in the U.S. are in California, which has long been a leader in environmental innovation.
In fact, as fossil fuel power increasingly falls out of favor, many states around the country are likely to look toward CPUC's decision on Thursday to inform their own options for investing in renewable energy.
One crux of the plan allows homeowners to sell unused energy back to their utilities, a policy known as net metering which proponents say reduces bills and encourages consumers to lower their electricity use.
"State leaders around the country should follow California’s example, and maintain and strengthen programs that ensure that every family, business, and community that wants to go solar, can go solar," Bret Fanshaw of Environment America said following the vote.
The program, written by CPUC president Michael Picker, faced a last-minute push by Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric that would have made going solar more expensive for consumers.
Picker did add some revisions to the plan late Wednesday, which will raise fees for new solar customers to support upkeep of the grid and public service programs, such as low-income bill assistance. However, the net metering will "continue spinning backward at full retail rate," according to the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA). [...]
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At Daily Kos on this date in 2011—Who still loves "secret holds"? Senate Tea Party Caucus, that's who:
Among the very minor reforms that made it through the Senate yesterday, the one with the widest support was the standing order dealing with "secret holds."
Now, it's no secret that I was always more concerned with the "hold" part than with the "secret" part, but that certainly doesn't diminish the inherently offensive nature of secrecy in the Senate.
And just how offensive is it? Well, offensive enough that our notoriously cautious about change Senators voted to adopt the new standing order overwhelmingly, by a vote of 92-4.
On today’s Kagro in the Morning show, Greg Dworkin counts down to IA, discusses Bernie’s barriers, revolution “vs.” incrementalism and the Flint town hall. Unga-bunga, me like Trump! NRA kids safety program now somehow feared “anti-gun.” Kochs vs. Mayer. Texas’ open-carry law sows confusion.
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