Regarding the recent article, “BG Council rejects rebates for rooftop solar systems tied into city’s grid,” it is good to see that this issue warrants continued serious consideration by city council, but the real issue is still not addressed. That is the influence that American Municipal Power has over BG Utilities and the unsubstantiated penalty for rooftop solar that was implemented.
The article outlines the good intentions and debates that have taken place, with the Utilities Director having the last say about how rooftop solar is somehow costing other ratepayers who do not have solar panels in the city. No mention is made about the impacts of the utility-scale installations that have impacted the city for which ratepayers must bear a much larger burden for interconnection and infrastructure. No mention is made of the fact that residents who invest in rooftop solar must pay for costs of installation out of pocket whereas utility scale solar projects are allowed to amortize their costs into our rates.
We have not yet heard a good justification of the assertion that those who have installed solar panels in BG have actually cost other ratepayers. This is not an issue of penalties and compensatory rebates. This is an issue of real costs and lack of due process to receive answers and the need for checks and balances to the decisions made. Maybe Utility Board members should be elected rather than appointed. Something needs to change because the outcome of the Rider E penalty is that no one has since invested in rooftop solar in the city.
The very small amount of money recouped from the few solar installations in the city could never make up for the massive amount of grid costs required for the infrastructure to accommodate utility-scale solar installations. The federal government is addressing this issue as it should because the Biden administration wants more rooftop solar, not less, in the US. Why is Bowling Green going in the opposite direction than what the entire country should be going?
Look to the AMP influence over policies, including the disastrous Prairie State contract. Then, like now, many people had questions that were not answered and valid concerns that were not heard. Why is there so much defensiveness about the Municipal Utility’s authority?
There needs to be more transparency, accountability and oversight for BG Utilities and AMP to those who pay their salaries – the ratepayers.
Leatra Harper
Bowling Green
