Sacramento Approves Controversial Energy Policy

The new plan will allow homeowners to buy solar-panel generated energy from a single source (Wikimedia Commons).

California’s energy commissioners approved the controversial Neighborhood SolarShares program in a unanimous vote on February 21, according to The Sacramento Bee. The program, proposed by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Sacramento’s primary electric utility service, allows home builders to buy solar energy generated by SMUD’s own solar farms. SMUD says that the plan is a cheaper and easier alternative to installing solar panels on each home. 

The SolarShares program was proposed in the aftermath of California's new requirement to have solar panels on the rooftop of each home, according to The Sacramento Bee. Following the SolarShares program’s approval, many are questioning whether homeowners will still be required to have solar panels on their rooftops. 

According to KCRA News, California Energy Commission chair David Hochschild supports the program, saying that it makes “it easier for folks to comply with our solar mandate.” He added that “It's going to be part of how we build a clean energy future. We're going to do rooftop solar, we're going to do utility-scale solar and now, because of this program, we're doing community solar as well."

However, many disagree with the proposal. Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco said that the plan will “undermine rooftop solar and storage ... and set a precedent for other utilities to do the same.”

Solar Rights Alliance Executive Director Dave Rosenfeld also expressed concern about the program: “That the CEC would back down from their solar homes policy just weeks after it started shows everyone the immense power that utility monopolies have over our state government.” There are also concerns about the costs. Rosenfield added that, “in the long run—actually in the medium run—homeowners are going to be paying more for energy bills. So, this is worse for the consumer."

The plan has been approved for now, however, and it remains to be seen whether any action will be taken against it.