It could also have the effect of stemming the possibility that customers would rush to lock in existing net metering rates before the rates are altered, assuming the PSC approves RMP's proposed changes to net metering rates. In the midst of that process, RMP filed its 135A proposal with the PSC as a transitional measure. That rate change request is now before the PSC. Opponents, such as the Utah Solar Energy Association, argue that RMP's proposal is hasty, creates market uncertainty and would have a negative impact on the state's solar power industry, which added 9,000 jobs over the past five years. Under its proposal, RMP said new customers would see fixed charges rise from $6 to $15 and receive a charge of $9.02/kWh during high demand periods and pay an additional $0.0381/kWh for energy. To change that scenario, RMP proposed a three-part rate structure that includes a fixed monthly charge, a charge for demand during peak hours, and an energy charge. That proposed tariff comes out of a mandated value of solar study in which RMP found that "revenue received from net metering customers does not cover the costs of serving them." RMP told the PSC that net metering customers pay about 61% of their cost of service, while other residential class customers pay 96%, amounting to $400 per customer per year of cost shifting.Įxtrapolating those figures, RMP estimated that by 2020, cost shifting would total $27 million per year, and over the next 20 years the cumulative cost shifting related to residential net metering would hit about $667 million.
Under that proposal (Docket 14-035-114) RMP is, in fact, seeking to change to a new tariff, 136, for net metering. Some solar customers, potential customers and solar advocates in Utah are concerned about another proposal that they see as an even more potent threat and for which 135A could be a harbinger. 9 filing, the utility noted that it had been involved in preliminary discussions with stakeholders "to engage in further dialogue and explore mutually-acceptable resolutions."īut RMP said that intervenors "have disparate views about the process to be used for such discussions that require additional effort and time to resolve." RMP said it "continues to be willing to work with interested stakeholders to address issues that have been raised about the net metering program."įurther, in the Dec. That proposal, known as 135A, would not have changed net metering rates, but would have served to put net metering customers on notice that net metering rates for new customers, customers after the Dec. 10, but the proposal was not to change net metering rates - that is part of a separate proposal and filing by RMP - but to add to the utility's current tariff for net metering, schedule 135, language that says that net metering rates are not fixed and, like other rates, are subject to change. The PSC agreed and suspended the proposal, which would have taken effect Dec.
The day before it was scheduled to take effect, Rocky Mountain Power asked the Utah Public Service Commission to suspend a net metering-related proposal.
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