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Public commenters correct program funding assumptions and voice affordability concerns at Little Hoover Commission hearing
Summary
During public comment at the March 27 Little Hoover Commission hearing, representatives of the Center for Sustainable Energy corrected a report characterization about program funding; several residents voiced concerns about up-front solar costs and recent rate increases.
During the public comment portion of the March 27 Little Hoover Commission hearing, the panel took corrections and consumer perspectives.
Funding corrections: Evan Wins, senior policy manager at the Center for Sustainable Energy, told the commission that the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) and the SOMA multifamily program are no longer, or never were, funded from ratepayer charges in the ways described in the commission’s background memo. He said SGIP funding moved off ratepayer charges as of December 2024 and that SOMA has been funded by investor-owned utilities’ cap-and-trade set-asides rather than direct ratepayer funds.
Consumer voices: Several residents and advocates spoke in the public-comment period. A West Sacramento resident said rooftop solar remained unaffordable in her view, quoting a 25-year payback calculation and saying recent utility rate increases and perceived regulatory capture have eroded public confidence. Other commenters, including technologists and local solar owners, urged policymakers to permit ‘‘remote solar’’ and other community-solar approaches and emphasized that customer-owned solar plus batteries both reduce peak demand and still leave customers paying regular monthly utility bills.
Ending: Commission staff noted there is no final draft report under consideration; the materials posted online are background memos. The commission will continue public comment opportunities at follow-on hearings.
