first published week of: 02/01/2016
California utility regulators narrowly passed new rules that will increase costs for owners of rooftop solar systems, part of a broad reshaping of the state's energy future.
The California Public Utilities Commission, on a three-two vote, stopped short Thursday of the even higher charges that the state's investor-owned utilities wanted.
The opposing commissioners said they voted against the proposal because of the last-minute elimination of an electricity transmission fee, a move that they they said made the overall arrangement too rich for the solar industry.
The decision, which initially applies only to new solar panel systems, was viewed as a broad compromise to some. But others say it's a defeat for the utilities.
Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Gas & Electric had pressed the commission to charge solar owners hefty fees that the solar industry said would crush its business. continued…