Sacramento – Sacramento – Assemblymember Patty Berg urged the President of the California Public Utilities Commission to vote down proposed fees that unfairly target solar energy users.

The California Public Utilities Commission will vote Thursday whether to approve a fee for people who install residential solar systems. By some estimates, this fee could amount to a 40 percent increase in the cost of using solar energy. Opponents argue it is clearly detrimental to efforts made toward achieving energy independence in this state.

“The proposed decision is based on the notion that targeting solar users will help spread the burden of the state’s electricity costs, but exit fees generated from solar users would not, in my estimation, amount to significant revenue. Imposing this fee sends the wrong message to Californians who are trying to do the right thing by using renewable energy. We must move away from our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Berg.

Berg continued, “This proposal directly counters recently enacted policies by the Legislature, which offer subsidies to people who install solar systems. By approving this proposal, the Public Utilities Commission would be punishing people for something the state previously encouraged.”