Clean Energy – Letters Of Liberty

**“Clean Energy,” Monterey Herald – November 26, 2022**

How do we reach our clean energy goals without the sun? According to the proposal from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on revisions to Net Metering (NEM), the commission thinks solar panels grow on roofs. They do not – they are installed by homeowners and business owners based on pocketbook considerations. Slashing the net metering credit by 75% (the credit solar owners get from selling excess energy) will gut demand for solar panels in California. It will be a disaster for the solar industry, which employs roughly 75,000 Californians.

There are good provisions in the proposal, including incentivizing pairing battery storage with solar panels: an innovative response to demands of a future grid powered by renewable energy.

But this is not a time to reduce renewables deployment. Stanford Professor Mark Jacobson estimates $1.1 trillion is needed to upgrade California’s grid by 2050. Funding a carbon-neutral future is not solely Sacramento’s responsibility! Continuing incentive programs under NEM 2.0 and 1.0, can leverage the pocketbooks of willing Californians to achieve our energy needs.

So CPUC, please eliminate the 75% credit reduction on net metering! If you agree, let the CPUC and Governor Newsom know that you feel the same this December.

— David Prina, Salinas