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Warner select board backs state bill to protect municipal net‑metering terms
Summary
The Warner Select Board voted 2–1 to support state Senate bill SP538‑FN, which would allow municipal solar projects to lock in current net‑metering tariffs for 20 years and ease project financing for towns. Board members will sign a letter urging the legislature to pass it.
The Warner Select Board voted 2–1 on March 3 to support state Senate bill SP538‑FN, a measure that would allow municipal solar projects to lock in the net‑metering tariff in place when a project goes online for a minimum of 20 years.
The board’s discussion centered on how the bill would help towns secure financing for new solar installations. A town energy official explained that Warner’s 2016 solar array benefited from a favorable net‑metering policy in effect at the time and that a 2017 change reduced compensation for distributed generation. Under SP538‑FN, projects that come online now could be grandfathered into the existing tariff for the next two decades, providing predictable revenue and helping municipalities attract investment.
During public comment, resident Nick D’Ramos described billing issues with Eversource under the current monthly reconciliation and urged the town to press for fairer compensation. Chair Eric Seidel said the change would ‘‘give some clarity to municipalities’’ and moved that the board endorse the legislation and sign a letter of support. Alfred Hansing seconded and the motion passed on a roll‑call vote with Seidel and Hansing voting yes and Michael Smith voting no.
Seidel and Mary (staff) said they would draft the letter and circulate it for signatures. The board flagged the measure as beneficial for Warner’s planned solar projects but recorded a minority concern about locking future boards to a specific tariff structure.
