New Mexico's Largest Utility Wants To Charge Solar Owners Up To $30 A Month | ThinkProgress.
PNM is one of many utilities seemingly stifling the proliferation of distributed solar power due to concerns over business-model disruption and long-term revenue impacts. Distributed solar advocates argue that solar can generate energy for the grid during peak demand hours when costs are highest, thus reducing strain on utilities and conventional power sources like coal, gas, and nuclear. In helping reduce the amount utilities rely on fossil fuel generation, renewables likes solar and wind also reduce emissions that may otherwise prove costly under new regulations such as the Clean Power Plans that aim to cut back on GHG pollution.
In the last year, this dynamic has made news in Arizona, where fixed fees were imposed on solar installers; Utah, where it led to customer outrage; Wisconsin, where a proposed fixed charge escalated the already heated debate; and recently in Wyoming, where a utility withdrew a proposed rate change due to customer backlash.
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A MESSAGE FROM NEW ENERGY ECONOMY – Please join with us and hundreds of New Mexicans on January 5th, 2015 at 9AM-11AM to demonstrate on the first day of the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) hearing that will determine NM’s energy future for the next 25 years. Let’s stand together to demand clean, affordable replacement power for New Mexico and say NO to more expensive nuclear and dirty coal.
More than 30 community groups from throughout the state representing INDIGENOUS RIGHTS, FAITH, THE ARTS, BUSINESS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, & ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY are hosting this critical convergence.
Together we will demonstrate the public will for replacement power that is free from the financial, health, and environmental risks and costs of coal and nuclear, and as a result is CHEAPER for rate-payers and will lead to hundreds of jobs and large-scale renewable energy deployment.
January 5th is the first day of the two-week long Public Regulation Commission Hearing through which the replacement power decision will be determined.
TRANFORMATION REQUIRES LARGE-SCALE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO MOBILIZE IN NEW MEXICO FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION OPPORTUNITY OF OUR LIFETIMES.
JOIN US!!!
New Energy Economy FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/590135834447429/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular
We Won’t Stop FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/We-Wont-Stop/732678656819716
