Colorado Springs City Council Rejects Proposal to Increase Solar Customers' Bills
Colorado Springs City Council informally voted 5-4 to kill a proposal that would have increased monthly bills for solar customers.
The proposal, part of the new Energy Wise program, aimed to charge solar users more for power used during peak hours (5-9 p.m.).
- Solar customers argued that they had spent tens of thousands of dollars on solar panels, relying on past incentives.
- Colorado Springs Utilities' CFO, Tristen Gearheart, stated that solar users generate most of their energy during morning or early afternoon hours when demand is lower and supply is higher.
The change would renege on incentives from the past.
Hundreds of residents attended the hearing, which lasted nine hours and included testimony from Colorado Springs Utilities and pro-solar organizations.
Author's summary: City council rejects proposal to charge solar customers more.