Eliminate cap on solar net metering

By Pam Stuckey, Las Vegas

Wednesday, April 15, 2015 | 2 a.m.

As a rooftop solar power owner/leaser in Las Vegas, I’m happy to be saving money on my power bills, exercising choice as to where I get my electricity and supporting the growth of a booming industry in our state. That’s why I’m so concerned that the state’s growth in this area could hit a brick wall — namely, an arbitrary, unjustified cap on the number of people who can participate in solar net metering, the most fundamental solar policy that exists in 44 states.

Why is NV Energy, the biggest opponent of solar choice, working so hard to limit my ability to earn a fair price for power I produce? NV Energy’s efforts to limit net metering could hurt our state by blocking the growth of this clean, abundant energy source.

What we need now is for the Nevada Legislature to stand up against pressure from NV Energy, which has been lobbying behind the scenes. Standing up to NV Energy’s tactics to eliminate solar net metering would allow Nevada to keep its position as No. 1 in solar jobs as well as the third fastest-growing solar power state (120,000 homes) in the country.

Last year alone there were seven states expanding net metering. Does Nevada really want to be the first state in the country to jeopardize solar growth and energy choice by limiting net metering? It’s time for our legislators to say yes to the future and no to NV Energy’s efforts to kill the competition.