Going Solar Isn't Easy in The District (of Columbia)

[jpak]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/09/AR2007020901775.html

On Dec. 5, the D.C. Council passed a measure to require certain large commercial buildings in the District to meet "green" environmental standards. Seven days later, Pepco asked the D.C. Public Service Commission (PSC) to approve an increase of roughly 8 percent in residential electricity rates.

Sadly, though, it is not easy for District residents to use solar technology. As a result, these residents are being denied opportunities to make their houses green and to reduce their exposure to rising electricity prices.

Why? Perhaps ineptitude, perhaps something more sinister. But the bottom line is that, although the D.C. government professes to want to promote solar energy, progress seems to have been thwarted by the PSC and Pepco.

The root of the problem is net metering. Or, more precisely, the lack of an easy process for customers to enter into a standard net-metering contract in the District.

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[ixion]

1. government is the primary hurdle in moving towards sustainable energy

they attempt to thwart it with a phalynx of ordinaces and fees, and the utility companies throw their weight behind that mess by making it 'difficult' to enter into a 'contract', although they seem to have NO TROUBLE AT ALL charging outrageous prices for electricity. :grr:

[jpak]

2. Absolutely astonishing that they can get away with this

It just goes to show how terrified some utilities are at the prospect of homeowners actually selling solar power to the grid...

[Moby Grape]

3. if you don't like the grid contact...disconnect

pull the plug on the ripoff power company