Comments on: $2 Billion Solar Rebates Program Broke

By: Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly — Mon, 02 May 2011 18:18:15 +0000

One correction to Ike’s otherwise thoughtful summary. When a 3rd party investor (PPA) provides the solar for a government entity or non-profit, the 3rd party is eligible only for the standard non-residential rebate, not the higher government and non-profit rate.

By: Ike

Ike — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:46:47 +0000

The legislation SB 585 only currently effects PG&E and SDG&E and the trust funds the operate from the 2.85% Public Benefits Charge collected on every customers bills. That amount has been constant for some time. Money collected funds not only renewable energy but numerous energy efficiency programs that offer rebates. The solar portion of those funds is segregated for its purposes. The Bill allows interest accrued during the program to be allocated for rebates. The original legislation was vague on this matter and the PUC held legally they could not let interest be spent without legislative clarification which SB 585 does. Rebates are paid out over a 5 year period only for actual energy generated. These funds still have tens of millions of dollars in them but the utility’s suspended new applications to assure enough money was in reserve for future payments. The budget is higher than expectations due to much higher use by public agencies that originally anticipated. Public entities and non-profits receive higher rebates because they don’t pay taxes and cannot use the tax preferred status private companies do. But 3rd parties have financed most public systems taking the tax benefits allowed but still allowing the public entities to receive higher rebates. It was expected this higher rebate would comprise about 25% of funds but they have consumed almost 60%. Intense lobbying from cities and counties has been effective in preventing this higher rebate being lowered to the same as private companies. This one fix would have corrected the budgeting shortfall. While I support SB 585 as it does NOT increase fees currently collected, the rebate for public and non profit’s should be reduced to the same and private companies.

By: PJ

PJ — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 02:01:26 +0000

I just got notice from the Gas Company that we are being taxed again to support lower rates for some other deserving folks. Hmmm, nobody asked me if I wanted to pay other people’s gas bills!

By: Skep41

Skep41 — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 01:39:21 +0000

Sometimes I feel like I’m an insane person. If the state’s huge and growing budget deficit and crumbling economy doesnt bother these people who should be the best informed and most knowledgeable in the state why should it upset me as much as it does that they’re sitting up there playing the same foolish games? One day soon interest rates will start to rise and all this saving-the-planet guff will be thrown overboard in the panic that follows. But these Wise Democrats seem pretty calm. I love that they receive ‘information packets’ from their little playmates. Information on the 3rd President and the 1st Postmaster General I suppose. I guess I’m just some self-important loony who isnt sophisticated enough to understand how this can continue much longer.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:24:14 +0000

It is a shame that Solar Panel efficiency is only at 15-20 %. Maybe they should have would have used a Billion of the 2 Billion dollars in rebates as a prize to the first company that could create solar panels with at least 40% efficiency.

By: Mike J

Mike J — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:35:16 +0000

This not only smells like a tax, acts like a tax, it is a TAX
Not even close to a fee. Either way, if this passes, each and every person in Sacramento should be recalled for breaking the law. Remember that little proposition about defining fee and taxes.

By: larry 62

larry 62 — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:14:03 +0000

Does this mean that the solar surcharge portion of my SMUD bill will be increased? I don’t remember anyone asking me if I wanted to subsidize green technology, which by all indications can’t make it on it’s own merits.

By: John Seiler

John Seiler — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:09:19 +0000

Another scam dressed up as saving the environment. The following quotation from Katy’s article shows how the “system” really works — and why we shouldn’t trust these crooks in the Legislature with another $12 billion of our tax dollars through Gov. Brown’s tax increase:

“In the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications committee, legislators entering the hearing room at the Capitol on Tuesday morning immediately sought out lobbyists before the hearing began. Quiet talks took place and information packets exchanged hands demonstrating prearranged agreements and harmony on the issues. The lobbyists were energy company lobbyists and supporters of green technology — two groups that haven’t always seen eye to eye, unless both are benefitting financially.”