The following is a statement from Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association, on the Minnesota state legislature’s passage of HF 234/SF 141:
“Under Gov. Dayton’s leadership, Minnesota has transformed into a national leader in solar energy with nearly 3,000 solar jobs in the state. However, HF 234/SF 141 risks slowing that progress. This bill would enable cooperative utilities to target solar customers with unfair fees and limit their ability to fight back, making it more difficult for Minnesota residents to go solar.
“This is consistent with a larger nationwide trend by entrenched interests to discourage customers electricity choice with unreasonable fixed fees designed to reduce customers’ ability to control their electric bills and stifle competition from the burgeoning solar industry. Existing law provides for a fair review of such proposals by utility regulators. We urge Gov. Dayton to veto this legislation so solar’s economic contribution can continue to grow, not contract, in Minnesota.”
News item from SEIA