Environmental Groups: Fees Tied to Solar are ‘Unlawful’
Attorneys recently filed a complaint with the state Public Service Commission against Alabama Power over extra fees the power company imposes on homes, schools, and small businesses that use solar power. The complaint calls the five-year-old fees “unlawful” and “contrary to the public interest.”
The filing is 32 pages long, but Katie Ottenweller, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center and head of its regional solar initiative, boils it down:
“It’s akin to going to the grocery store and getting an extra tax on your bill because you have a tomato garden in your backyard. Alabama Power has a monopoly. Solar is one of the few ways people can actually control their electricity bills.”
Alabama Power charges an extra $5-per-kilowatt monthly fee for people who use solar. For an average customer, that’s about $30 a month. That can add up to $10,000 over the life of a home solar set-up. The SELC filed the complaint on behalf of two affected property owners and G.A.S.P., a clean-air advocacy group . The complaint was filed with the state Public Service Commission, which regulates utility companies. Ottenweller says Alabama already has among the highest electricity rates in the nation.
“Rooftop solar creates more jobs per megawatt than any other source of energy. There’s 10 times as many solar customers in Georgia and Tennessee as there are in Alabama. I mean this charge has really just put the entire rooftop solar market at a standstill.”
Alabama Power has until May 31 to respond to the complaint. A spokesman said in an email the company is still reviewing it. He added the fees ensure customers without solar panels aren’t “subsidizing those who have them.” Public hearings aren’t scheduled, but lawyers say they could happen over the summer.
The SELC is a sponsor of WBHM programming. WBHM’s news and business departments operate separately.
A new biography zeroes in on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s superpower
The secret to his success isn't just genius — it's collaboration a lot of creative friends. Author Daniel Pollack-Pelzner interviewed more than 150 people for his biography about the Hamilton creator.
In 2022, the name ‘monkeypox’ was nixed. Now the U.S. is reviving it
The World Health Organization retired the name "monkeypox" in favor of mpox — since the virus is spread by rodents and small mammals and there's a stigma factor. Why has the U.S. revived "monkeypox"?
The suspect in Charlie Kirk killing has been arrested. Here’s what we know
The suspect has been identified as Tyler Robinson of Utah. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Robinson's family members reached out to a friend, who contacted the Washington County sheriff's office on Thursday.
South Africa reopens inquest into death of Steve Biko
South Africa has reopened the investigation into the death of anti-apartheid leader Steve Biko — 48 years after he was killed in police custody.
Memphis latest city Trump is targeting for federal government actions to combat crime
In an interview Friday morning, President Trump announced Memphis is his next target for federal intervention to combat crime. The president said he has support from Tennessee's governor and Memphis' mayor.
Prince Harry makes surprise visit to Ukraine in support of wounded troops
Britain's Prince Harry has arrived in Ukraine for a surprise visit in support of wounded service members.
