California's Supreme Court has agreed to weigh in on controversial new rules that slash the financial incentive for people who install rooftop solar on their homes. The high court has agreed to hear arguments from a trio of environmental groups that oppose the changes, which went into effect last year and affect 1.8 million Californians. In December 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a third iteration of the state’s net energy metering program, or NEM 3.
Ray Major, SANDAG YES: The new NEM 3 program undermines the state's desire for clean energy. By law, residents of the state will be required to use more electricity in the future as internal combustion engines and natural gas are outlawed. Where will all the needed electricity come from? The state should be encouraging, not discouraging the use of residential solar panels and discouraging utility monopolies like SDG&E, which posted nearly a billion-dollar profit last year.