Take Action to Prevent Xcel Energy from Suspending Solar Rewards

TAKE ACTION TODAY: Can you write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper urging Xcel to restart the Solar*Rewards program and to better educate the public about this important issue?



Here are a few key messages to highlight:



- Colorado voters have sent a clear message that they want to increase clean energy use to help promote economic development. The program had been working well. Spurred by the passage of Amendment 37, there are now 5,300 solar jobs and more than 400 solar businesses in Colorado. Colorado is now the #2 state in the U.S. for solar jobs per capita.



- Xcel Energy is using its monopoly to disrupt the market for clean energy and choke off competition. Xcel is now the 2nd major utility to suspend its solar program. Black Hills Energy in Pueblo suspended its solar program in October, which led to a 90% decrease in solar sales and significant job losses while customers wait for incentives to return. The Colorado economy can't afford a devastating similar crash statewide. An estimated 2,000-3,000 Colorado jobs will be lost by the end of the year unless there is a rapid restart to the state's successful solar programs.



- Every industry needs a stable marketplace to compete. Xcel's Solar*Rewards program was on schedule, slowly ratcheting down incentives as solar costs decreased. Incentives were reduced nearly 50% during the past two years as solar electric costs decreased by 40-50% during the same period. The program has worked. The key was that program changes were predictable, incremental and transparent so consumers and businesses could react.



- Xcel Energy administering its own solar program is a conflict of interest. As a monopoly utility, Xcel has a financial stake in disrupting and delaying solar growth and destabilizing the clean energy marketplace. A monopoly shouldn't be allowed to pull the rug out from under Colorado's small businesses and while putting thousands of jobs at risk.



- Colorado needs an independent 3rd party administrator to oversee its solar program. Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy have demonstrated that they are either incapable or unwilling to ensure a stable marketplace for healthy competition. That's why other states have implemented an independent solar program administrator to avoid these conflicts of interest. Colorado should too.



- The Public Utilities Commission should deny utility requests to gut clean energy programs. The PUC should seek to restart Xcel's and Black Hills' solar programs quickly, before any more economic damage is done, and begin a fair and transparent stakeholder process to ensure stable marketplace.



- The public is invited to attend the Rally for Clean Energy Jobs this Friday, February 25 at 12pm, at the Colorado State Capitol building, west steps to show their support for increasing clean energy in Colorado.



Feel free to personalize your letter to the editor, but be sure to highlight some of these key points.



Thank you for your continued involvement. We can't do this alone. And thanks for sending a letter to the editor of your local newspaper today.



Best regards,
Neal Lurie
Executive Director, COSEIA