California lawmakers reject controversial net metering bill
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Image: Solarcity
California lawmakers have voted down a proposed change to the state’s net metering rules that would have cut rates for rooftop solar customers.
The California Assembly rejected a controversial bill, AB 1139, on Wednesday (2 June) that would have significantly cut net metering rates and remove requirements for the California Public Utilities Commission to ensure sustainable growth in the state’s rooftop solar sector.
The bill was promoted by utilities PG&E, Southern California Edison, and SDG&E, and introduced to the Assembly in February. The Assembly had already significantly revised the bill late last week (28 May), extending the deadline for the utilities to agree on a successor tariff to the current net-metering system from January 2022 to August that year, and ensures that existing customers who benefit from the current net metering scheme will be given the same rates for 20 years, instead of the 10 years proposed by the power companies.