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 aimed to charge solar customers more for peak hour usage, but many solar customers opposed the change, stating they had spent tens of thousands of dollars installing solar panels and the change would renege on past incentives.
- Hundreds of Colorado Springs residents attended a hearing on the proposal at city hall.
- The proposal was part of a new Energy Wise program rolled out by Colorado Springs Utilities in October.
- The program charges normal grid electric users more for power used during peak hours of 5-9 p.m., but initially excluded solar users.
Tristen Gearheart, CFO of Colorado Springs Utilities, noted that solar users generate most of their energy during morning or early afternoon hours when demand is lower and supply is higher, making energy cheaper during these hours.
Author's summary: City council rejects proposal to increase solar customers' bills.