Amidst a growing sense of urgency to expedite the transition to a clean energy future, catalysts are paramount. Lasting reforms to our centuries-old energy system will not just magically happen in 50 states and a handful of territories. A planned, patient, and persistent approach is needed. This laborious (some might even say tedious) process takes a stimulus.
net metering 
‘C’ is for Catalyst
Solar Paired With Energy Storage Scores a Regulatory Win in California
Source: Greentech Media Adding an energy storage system to a NEM-eligible solar system or generator in California just became a little easier and more transparent under a new Public Utility Commission ruling. Last month, Jeff St. John reported on the…
Hawaii Passes the Point of No Return on Distributed Generation
Source: Greentech Media When Hawaiian Electric Company submitted its integrated resource plan on April 29, it was the last straw for regulators. Shortly after HECO’s inadequate plan was released, the Public Utilities Commission issued four regulatory orders and a white…
CPS Energy makes revisions to solar-energy fees
Source: San Antonio Business Journal CPS Energy — after proposing to cut the rates it pays solar users for excess power they generate — says it will keep its original rates in place but add a one-time connection fee for…
Xcel, Solar Groups Agree On Colorado Incentives
Source: CBS Denver Xcel Energy Inc. and two solar industry groups have made a joint proposal to Colorado utility regulators on incentives that encourage customers to put panels on their roofs, they said Tuesday. In announcing their agreement a day…
Oregon Tech First in the Nation to Power Entire Campus with Onsite Renewables
Source: Energy Trust of Oregon On April 18, Margie Harris, executive director of Energy Trust of Oregon, presented Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) President Chris Maples with a $1.5 million check for a recently installed 1.75 megawatt geothermal system. With its…
Movement on Net Metering in Mississippi
Source: 25 x ’25 Alliance On April 1st, The Mississippi Public Service Commission ordered an investigative study on the economic impact of net metering. The Commission has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct an Economic Impact Study/Cost-Benefits Analysis of…
An Array Of Policies Makes New Jersey An Unlikely Leader In Solar Energy
Source: Solar Industry Magazine The State of New Jersey is known for many things. It has the most diners, the longest boardwalk and the tallest water tower in the world. New Jersey also ranks second in blueberry production, as well as…
Vermont Raises Net Metering Cap To 15%
Source: Solar Industry Magazine Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed self-generation and net-energy metering (NEM) legislation (H.702) into law. The new law raises the 4% cap utilities had been using as the limit on their NEM programs to 15% of peak load. The…
Utah Enacts Net Metering Legislation, Avoiding Customer Penalties
Source: IREC On March 25th, Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed Senate Bill 208 into law, which makes minimal changes to Utah’s grade-A net metering policy. As originally introduced, the bill contained language referencing cost-shifting among customer classes, mandated a fee…