The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has dismissed an appeal submitted by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA) regarding Xcel Energy's renewable energy compliance plan, according to SEIA.
The appeal included two requested changes to Xcel's 2012-2013 Compliance Plan that SEIA says would have improved the business climate for Colorado solar businesses, which employ more than 6,000 people in the state.
"Unfortunately, today's PUC decision to scale back incentives and limit the number of eligible solar installations sends a troubling message to Colorado solar businesses that the state's desire to attract solar companies and investments is waning," Carrie Cullen Hitt, vice president of state affairs at SEIA, said in a statement." With thousands of jobs at stake, it was imperative that policymakers reconfirm their commitment to building a robust solar industry, and we are disappointed that this was not the signal sent by the commission.
"At the same time, the overwhelming popularity of Xcel's solar program indicates that Coloradans want to get more of their electricity from solar," she added." The PUC's decision to limit the total solar megawatts procured by Xcel will, in turn, limit installations on ratepayers' homes and businesses."
