utilities<\/a>\u2019 proposal, the Commission has chosen to double down on failed programs that have not \u2014 and will not \u2014 establish a viable community solar market that would provide affordable energy to Californians that need relief the most.<\/p>\n“It\u2019s also further evidence that California\u2019s utilities are doing everything they can to stifle distributed energy generation in order to tighten their grip on the state\u2019s electricity grid.<\/p>\n
“The vote solidifies California\u2019s place near the bottom of community solar markets nationwide, ceding leadership to other states to truly democratize solar energy and fulfill national energy equity goals.<\/p>\n
“Importantly, this vote was not unanimous. We would like to thank Commissioner Darcie Houck for her vote and remarks for how this Decision will fail to reach community solar\u2019s full potential.<\/p>\n
“Undeterred, we will continue our efforts to create a community solar program that puts people above utilities\u2026 and one California can be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aaron Halimi, founder and president of developer Renewable Properties, issued the following press statement:<\/p>\n
“As a community solar developer based in California and operating across 15 states, it\u2019s clear that the California Public Utilities Commission\u2019s final decision will not make California a leader in community solar.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith this misguided decision, it is highly improbable that the industry will invest in building community solar and energy storage projects in California. The CPUC\u2019s decision primarily benefits the financial interests of utilities and does not support the State\u2019s climate goals or the aim of reducing electric bills for low-income Californians, which was the purpose of AB 2316.”<\/p>\n
Stephanie Doyle, California State Affairs Director for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), issued the following press statement:<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, the CPUC is doing the bidding of monopoly utilities to block a functional community solar program in California. This decision effectively shuts out the vast majority of low-income Californians, renters and others that can\u2019t install solar directly on their homes from participating in the clean energy economy.<\/p>\n
“Today\u2019s vote ignores calls from the solar industry, environmental justice organizations, consumer advocates, and labor groups to create a workable program. It also puts into question the status of federal Solar for All funding, which is solely dedicated to expanding solar accessibility. This is a shocking decision from a Commission that is charged with protecting ratepayers and keeping electricity bills affordable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe CPUC\u2019s recent series of decisions threatens to unravel California\u2019s clean energy progress. It\u2019s past time for Governor Newsom and state leaders to reign in the commission before it inflicts more damage on customers and the state\u2019s clean energy economy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Updated on 5\/31<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The California Public Utilities Commission voted to approve a revised proposed decision on the state\u2019s community solar program on May 30 that solar advocates warned would not correct course for a failing sector. The approved decision was supported by the state’s major investor-owned utilities. The CPUC rejected a different proposal by a coalition including the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10031,"featured_media":87789,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16,7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post","9":"entry","10":"has-post-thumbnail"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
CPUC approves utility-backed community solar decision<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n