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Senate committee approves net‑metering bill after tense debate over PSC role and storage rules
Summary
The Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee advanced SB 145 to enable third‑party solar leasing and change how net metering is valued, winning support from industry backers but drawing warnings that the measure could override a lengthy Arkansas Public Service Commission (PSC) process and omit some economic benefit calculations.
Senators on the Arkansas Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee voted to advance SB 145 after several hours of testimony and technical questioning, approving a negotiated measure supporters say will expand third‑party leasing and give consumers more options for rooftop and distributed solar.
Senator Wallace, sponsor of SB 145, introduced the bill and asked Director Ted Thomas to explain its goals. Thomas said the bill "puts the consumer first by embracing technology when the price is right and letting consumers determine when the price is right for them," while preserving a regulated utility framework with limited areas of competition.
Opponents warned the bill, as amended, risks preempting months of deliberations at the Arkansas Public Service Commission. William Ball, a solar industry…
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