In an important victory for San Diego ratepayers today, a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) commissioner slammed the door on SDG&E's attempt to impose new fees upon customers who produce solar power.

Commissioner Mark Ferron adopted UCAN's recommendation that SDG&E's controversial "Network Usage Charge" be rejected and ordered that SDG&E must refile its request for a "general rate increase".  The Commissioner found that  SDG&E's proposed increased fees -- especially fees to consumers with rooftop solar energy -- were illegal.

Implications of this CPUC decision is that, for the near term, the skies will remain clear and sunny for residential solar generators as they need not worry about SDG&E imposing new fees upon them.   However, UCAN expects that SDG&E will now move this debate to the Legislature.  It is unlikely that they'll get the legislature/Governor to change the law anytime soon.   However, after 2016, our clear skies forecast gets fuzzier. 

In the interim,  UCAN's experts will be digging into SDG&E's claims that customers who produce solar power are causing more costs than benefits.    

The CPUC decision may be viewed in pdf format here.

Local newspapers reported on the important decision.  The North County Times story can be found here.  And the U-T San Diego story can be round here.

For a quick overview of UCAN's arguments, click here.