To the Editor:
Many individuals support making the change from fossil fuels to solar energy in Massachusetts. Considering that the majority of people in Mass support solar energy and would like to transition to a clean energy and would like to transition to a lean energy system, why does our statewide policy not reflect that? Here’s why, there is currently a cap or a limit on the amount of solar energy that can be sold back to the grid. Net metering is a process that pays solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. They do this by collecting a surplus amount of solar energy and as a result can use the extra energy to add power to their region. 171 municipalities have reached the cap and therefore no more solar can happen there. This sounds like an intelligent and sustainable use of energy, but it has been stunted by the House of Representatives and traditional electric utility providers. Environmental activists, business owners, experts, and communities have been urging policy makers and political leaders to lift the net metering caps in order for more solar energy to be sold back to the grid. This past Tuesday on November 18, the House of Representatives proposed a bill was to change the policy on net metering. Environmentalists were hopeful that the caps would be lifted by a fair amount but were disappointed when the cap was only lifted by a meager 2 percent. Ben Hellerstein, State Director for Environment Massachusetts states “we should lift arbitrary limits on solar power and bring as much solar to Massachusetts as we can, as quickly as possible.”
Activist groups have many supporters who would like to see Massachusetts go 20 percent solar by year 2025. “Developers now warn that the entire solar industry will collapse if the caps are not raised yet again” according to the Boston Globe. That goal becomes harder to reach as the influence of electric utilities continue to penetrate both the House and Senate. It seems they are doing everything in their power to limit any resources that would contribute to the growth of the solar industry in Massachusetts.
Utilities say money paid to solar energy producers is making electricity more expensive for all customers. The notion of the electric utilities claiming certain legislation would end up in higher costs for consumers isn’t new. I’m referring to the deregulation of electric utilities argued for and won in 1997. Their main argument in favor of deregulation was, of course, that if they did not get what they wanted, consumer prices would rise. Sound familiar?
With the cap only being lifted by 2 percent, it limits the amount of money the solar companies can bring in to start new projects. Not only that, but if new solar ventures want to get federal tax credits, projects need to be started sometime before next year or risk losing those benefits. If history is a good indicator, the rewards of the solar industry can offer the people of the Commonwealth a win win situation. According to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, from 2010 to 2013 solar grew at a rate of 127 percent per year in Massachusetts. In 2014, the solar industry employed over 12,000 jobs. “Leaders warned that the rapid growth of solar energy could stall if state officials fail to lift a cap on Massachusetts’ most important solar program,” (Environment Massachusetts). The only loser looks to be the traditional electric utilities. Obviously, they are doing everything they can to prevent their demise and it’s only a matter of time before our lawmakers realize the value of solar power. Let’s make Massachusetts a leader in the solar fight. The benefits of jobs and sustainable energy are a good prospect for everyone. In conclusion, the House of Representatives bill is in the best interests of the electrical industry and not the people of Massachusetts. We want solar–it is economically viable and creates jobs here. Solar is the common sense step forward that the people are eager for, its time our Representatives make that happen.
Julia Galecki
MASSPIRG GoSolar Campaign Coordinator
Westfield State Student
Chicopee Resident
[email protected]
