Colorado Springs City Council Rejects Proposal to Increase Solar Customers' Bills
The Colorado Springs City Council has informally voted 5-4 to kill a proposal that would have increased monthly bills for solar customers.
The proposal was part of a new Energy Wise program introduced by Colorado Springs Utilities in October, which charges normal grid electric users more for power used during peak hours of 5-9 p.m.
Many solar customers said they spent tens of thousands of dollars installing solar panels, and the change would renege on incentives from the past.
Solar users were not initially included in this change, and the goal was to level the field. Tristen Gearheart, CFO of Colorado Springs Utilities, explained that solar users generate most of their energy during the morning or early afternoon hours when demand for energy is lower and supply is higher — making energy during these hours cheaper.
- Hundreds of Colorado Springs residents attended a hearing on the proposal.
- The city council voted after nine hours of testimony from Colorado Springs Utilities, pro-solar organizations, and public comments.
Author's summary: City council rejects proposal to charge solar customers more.