Homegrown energy law takes effect tomorrow
Starting
tomorrow, over 900,000 Coloradans will get paid for their energy
production in their homes, rather than paying for their consumption.
It’s all part of a new law that goes into effect on August 5, which
allows Coloradans to support energy independence by generating
homegrown energy from wind turbines and rooftop solar panels, while
staying on the grid.
Bill sponsor Rep. Judy Solano
(Brighton) demonstrated how the law will benefit Coloradans at a
Thornton home today that uses solar paneling for most of its electric
use. She also discussed how the new law demonstrates Colorado’s
commitment to energy independence, and creates new jobs and
opportunities to expand the reach of renewable energy.
"Now,
farmers, ranchers and other Coloradans can generate affordable, clean
energy at their homes or businesses, and sell excess energy back to the
utility company for others to use," said bill sponsor Rep. Solano. "If
people are putting more energy back on the grid than they’re using – if
their meter is running backwards so to speak – they will now receive
fair compensation for the excess energy they produce, and reduce their
utility bill."
Despite the state’s abundant access to potential
sources of renewable energy – we have 300 days of sun annually and lots
of wind – 40 percent of Coloradans have difficulty connecting their
home or business renewable energy systems to the larger utility grid.
The new law streamlines the inconsistent patchwork of rural electric
association (REA) and municipal utilities’ (MUs) rules for connecting
and metering individual wind and solar systems. By creating a uniform
statewide standard, all Coloradans will have the chance to harvest part
of the renewable energy economy.
"We want to thank Rep. Solano
for helping to bring the New Energy Economy home," said Keith Hay,
energy advocate at Environment Colorado. "By ensuring that Coloradans
receive a fair price for the clean energy they produce, we’ve made
clean energy more accessible and affordable for everyone. And, by
empowering individuals to participate in building the New Energy
Economy, we can clean up our air and help our state cut global warming
pollution."
The law preserves an important balance between local
control and consumer empowerment. REAs and MUs now have much more
flexibility with how they handle excess electricity every year. It also
makes renewable energy production more accessible and affordable by
allowing individuals to produce renewable energy without incurring
penalties for doing so.
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