Dear Public Service Commission, I want to urge you to reject DTE s proposal that will make it harder for Michigan families to add solar.

Transcription

1 Sheila Martin Thursday, October 4, :07:44 AM I want to urge you to reject DTE s proposal that will make it harder for Michigan families to add solar. More residents should have access to the option of using solar power to reduce their electricity bills and their dependence on the grid. For years, Michiganders who put solar on their rooftop have had a pretty straight-forward arrangement with the utility: the electricity meter would run forward when the house or business was drawing power from the grid, and backward when it was generating power that was exported to the grid. At the end of the month, the customer was billed for the net (the amount consumed from the grid minus the solar power sent to the grid). A study the Commission sponsored found that rooftop solar customers, far from representing a cost-shift, actually benefit the grid as a whole.(1) As a Michigan citizen, I want to be able to continue to benefit from common-sense, fair billing structures like these. A billing policy like net metering makes sense to most people, and is in place in over 40 states around the country. And only 2,500 customers in Michigan are making use of that net metering policy at present, far from a time to dramatically shift rate design. Please reject DTE Electric Company s proposal to not only drastically change the billing structure, but also add additionally penalizing fees on solar customers. DTE s proposal is unfair and anti-consumer, and would make rooftop solar cost prohibitive to most Michiganders. This is not in the interest of ratepayers. (1) Sheila Grass Lake, MI 49240

2 Daniel Lynn Thursday, October 4, :24:08 AM If the Michigan Public Service Commission approves DTE s current proposal in rate case U , it will significantly reduce customers ability to choose their own source of energy. This will have negative outcomes for Michigan s average ratepayer as well. DTE wants to punish families who want to become more self-reliant, by slashing the value of solar and adding a punitive fee on customers. This is about reducing competition for DTE, not ensuring value for the average ratepayer. Please reject DTE s proposal to not only drastically change the billing structure, but also add additionally penalizing fees on solar customers. DTE s proposal is unfair and anti-consumer, and would make rooftop solar cost prohibitive to most Michiganders. This is not in the interest of ratepayers. Michigan should follow national standards by ensuring equitable compensation for solar homeowners who send extra electricity to neighbors. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) recommends not changing solar retail net-metering policies until distributed solar makes up 5% of a grid. Currently, residential solar makes up merely 0.5% of the grid in Michigan. Acting prematurely to an unequitable rate structure such as what DTE is proposing will risk punishing customers with an unproven billing scheme, and killing a thriving industry in the process. Daniel Holland, MI 49423

3 Glen Sedam Thursday, October 4, :50:29 AM If the Michigan Public Service Commission approves DTE s current proposal in rate case U , it will significantly reduce customers ability to choose their own source of energy. This will have negative outcomes for Michigan s average ratepayer as well. DTE wants to punish families who want to become more self-reliant, by slashing the value of solar and adding a punitive fee on customers. This is about reducing competition for DTE, not ensuring value for the average ratepayer. Please reject DTE s proposal to not only drastically change the billing structure, but also add additionally penalizing fees on solar customers. DTE s proposal is unfair and anti-consumer, and would make rooftop solar cost prohibitive to most Michiganders. This is not in the interest of ratepayers. Michigan should follow national standards by ensuring equitable compensation for solar homeowners who send extra electricity to neighbors. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) recommends not changing solar retail net-metering policies until distributed solar makes up 5% of a grid. Currently, residential solar makes up merely 0.5% of the grid in Michigan. Acting prematurely to an unequitable rate structure such as what DTE is proposing will risk punishing customers with an unproven billing scheme, and killing a thriving industry in the process. Glen Oxford, MI 48371

4 Lorraine Filipek Thursday, October 4, :43:29 AM I want to urge you to reject DTE s proposal that will make it harder for Michigan families to add solar. More residents should have access to the option of using solar power to reduce their electricity bills and their dependence on the grid. For years, Michiganders who put solar on their rooftop have had a pretty straight-forward arrangement with the utility: the electricity meter would run forward when the house or business was drawing power from the grid, and backward when it was generating power that was exported to the grid. At the end of the month, the customer was billed for the net (the amount consumed from the grid minus the solar power sent to the grid). A study the Commission sponsored found that rooftop solar customers, far from representing a cost-shift, actually benefit the grid as a whole.(1) As a Michigan citizen, I want to be able to continue to benefit from common-sense, fair billing structures like these. A billing policy like net metering makes sense to most people, and is in place in over 40 states around the country. And only 2,500 customers in Michigan are making use of that net metering policy at present, far from a time to dramatically shift rate design. Please reject DTE Electric Company s proposal to not only drastically change the billing structure, but also add additionally penalizing fees on solar customers. DTE s proposal is unfair and anti-consumer, and would make rooftop solar cost prohibitive to most Michiganders. This is not in the interest of ratepayers. (1) Lorraine Hartland, MI 48353

5 Steve King Thursday, October 4, :07:55 AM I want to urge you to reject DTE s proposal that will make it harder for Michigan families to add solar. More residents should have access to the option of using solar power to reduce their electricity bills and their dependence on the grid. For years, Michiganders who put solar on their rooftop have had a pretty straight-forward arrangement with the utility: the electricity meter would run forward when the house or business was drawing power from the grid, and backward when it was generating power that was exported to the grid. At the end of the month, the customer was billed for the net (the amount consumed from the grid minus the solar power sent to the grid). A study the Commission sponsored found that rooftop solar customers, far from representing a cost-shift, actually benefit the grid as a whole.(1) As a Michigan citizen, I want to be able to continue to benefit from common-sense, fair billing structures like these. A billing policy like net metering makes sense to most people, and is in place in over 40 states around the country. And only 2,500 customers in Michigan are making use of that net metering policy at present, far from a time to dramatically shift rate design. Please reject DTE Electric Company s proposal to not only drastically change the billing structure, but also add additionally penalizing fees on solar customers. DTE s proposal is unfair and anti-consumer, and would make rooftop solar cost prohibitive to most Michiganders. This is not in the interest of ratepayers. (1) Steve Charlotte, MI 48813

6 James Addington Thursday, October 4, :22:52 AM I want to urge you to reject DTE s proposal that will make it harder for Michigan families to add solar. More residents should have access to the option of using solar power to reduce their electricity bills and their dependence on the grid. For years, Michiganders who put solar on their rooftop have had a pretty straight-forward arrangement with the utility: the electricity meter would run forward when the house or business was drawing power from the grid, and backward when it was generating power that was exported to the grid. At the end of the month, the customer was billed for the net (the amount consumed from the grid minus the solar power sent to the grid). A study the Commission sponsored found that rooftop solar customers, far from representing a cost-shift, actually benefit the grid as a whole.(1) As a Michigan citizen, I want to be able to continue to benefit from common-sense, fair billing structures like these. A billing policy like net metering makes sense to most people, and is in place in over 40 states around the country. And only 2,500 customers in Michigan are making use of that net metering policy at present, far from a time to dramatically shift rate design. Please reject DTE Electric Company s proposal to not only drastically change the billing structure, but also add additionally penalizing fees on solar customers. DTE s proposal is unfair and anti-consumer, and would make rooftop solar cost prohibitive to most Michiganders. This is not in the interest of ratepayers. (1) James Bear Lake, MI 49614

7 Norma Wade Thursday, October 4, :26:11 AM If the Michigan Public Service Commission approves DTE s current proposal in rate case U , it will significantly reduce customers ability to choose their own source of energy. This will have negative outcomes for Michigan s average ratepayer as well. DTE wants to punish families who want to become more self-reliant, by slashing the value of solar and adding a punitive fee on customers. This is about reducing competition for DTE, not ensuring value for the average ratepayer. Please reject DTE s proposal to not only drastically change the billing structure, but also add additionally penalizing fees on solar customers. DTE s proposal is unfair and anti-consumer, and would make rooftop solar cost prohibitive to most Michiganders. This is not in the interest of ratepayers. Michigan should follow national standards by ensuring equitable compensation for solar homeowners who send extra electricity to neighbors. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) recommends not changing solar retail net-metering policies until distributed solar makes up 5% of a grid. Currently, residential solar makes up merely 0.5% of the grid in Michigan. Acting prematurely to an unequitable rate structure such as what DTE is proposing will risk punishing customers with an unproven billing scheme, and killing a thriving industry in the process. The legislature should be looking to Michigan's future, not to the past. In the early 19th century, we transitioned from a horse-based transportation system to an internal combustion engine based system. It was done without a whole lot of hoopla. Yes, there were concerns, but we went ahead and prospered with new technology. Now, we have an even better new technology and we should be encouraging the transition, not try to stop it. Also, the energy grid is old and hasn't been maintained as well as it should be. It is open to hacking by enemies of the country as well. Just more reasons to encourage transition to solar, not stand in the way of this new technology. Norma Livonia, MI 48152

8 Cindy Hull Thursday, October 4, :37:35 AM I want to urge you to reject the proposal from DTE that will unnecessarily punish rooftop solar customers. DTE not only wants to eliminate fair rooftop solar billing, but also wants to add an extreme and punitive fee on rooftop solar customers. This type of fee has been rejected repeatedly by other states and uncompetitive and unfair. DTE s proposals would prevent many Michigan families from having access to the option of using solar power to reduce their electricity bills and their dependence on the grid. Prompted by 2016 legislation, Michigan embarked on a process to update net metering. However, DTE Energy, have used this as an opening to radically change the rules - devaluing solar and making it harder for residents to use solar power to lower their electricity costs. DTE s proposal is a far cry from the equitable tariff envisioned by lawmakers in the 2016 legislation. In fact, DTE s proposal would cost the average household with a 5 kw solar system at least $500 per year in extra fees and reduced compensation for solar. Please reject DTE s anti-consumer, anti-solar proposal. Cindy Lexington, MI 48450

9 Gordon Chapman Thursday, October 4, :43:54 AM I want to urge you to reject the proposal from DTE that will unnecessarily punish rooftop solar customers. DTE not only wants to eliminate fair rooftop solar billing, but also wants to add an extreme and punitive fee on rooftop solar customers. This type of fee has been rejected repeatedly by other states and uncompetitive and unfair. DTE s proposals would prevent many Michigan families from having access to the option of using solar power to reduce their electricity bills and their dependence on the grid. Prompted by 2016 legislation, Michigan embarked on a process to update net metering. However, DTE Energy, have used this as an opening to radically change the rules - devaluing solar and making it harder for residents to use solar power to lower their electricity costs. DTE s proposal is a far cry from the equitable tariff envisioned by lawmakers in the 2016 legislation. In fact, DTE s proposal would cost the average household with a 5 kw solar system at least $500 per year in extra fees and reduced compensation for solar. Please reject DTE s anti-consumer, anti-solar proposal. Gordon Norton Shores, MI 49444

10 Julia Hemphill Thursday, October 4, :54:28 AM If the Michigan Public Service Commission approves DTE s current proposal in rate case U , it will significantly reduce customers ability to choose their own source of energy. This will have negative outcomes for Michigan s average ratepayer as well. DTE wants to punish families who want to become more self-reliant, by slashing the value of solar and adding a punitive fee on customers. This is about reducing competition for DTE, not ensuring value for the average ratepayer. Please reject DTE s proposal to not only drastically change the billing structure, but also add additionally penalizing fees on solar customers. DTE s proposal is unfair and anti-consumer, and would make rooftop solar cost prohibitive to most Michiganders. This is not in the interest of ratepayers. Michigan should follow national standards by ensuring equitable compensation for solar homeowners who send extra electricity to neighbors. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) recommends not changing solar retail net-metering policies until distributed solar makes up 5% of a grid. Currently, residential solar makes up merely 0.5% of the grid in Michigan. Acting prematurely to an unequitable rate structure such as what DTE is proposing will risk punishing customers with an unproven billing scheme, and killing a thriving industry in the process. Julia Carlton, OR 97111

11 Ben VAN DER PLUIJM Thursday, October 4, :48:34 PM I want to urge you to reject the proposal from DTE that will unnecessarily punish rooftop solar customers. DTE not only wants to eliminate fair rooftop solar billing, but also wants to add an extreme and punitive fee on rooftop solar customers. This type of fee has been rejected repeatedly by other states and uncompetitive and unfair. DTE s proposals would prevent many Michigan families from having access to the option of using solar power to reduce their electricity bills and their dependence on the grid. Prompted by 2016 legislation, Michigan embarked on a process to update net metering. However, DTE Energy, have used this as an opening to radically change the rules - devaluing solar and making it harder for residents to use solar power to lower their electricity costs. DTE s proposal is a far cry from the equitable tariff envisioned by lawmakers in the 2016 legislation. In fact, DTE s proposal would cost the average household with a 5 kw solar system at least $500 per year in extra fees and reduced compensation for solar. Please reject DTE s anti-consumer, anti-solar proposal. Ben VAN DER Ann Arbor, MI 48103

12 Lawrence Respondek Thursday, October 4, :52:22 PM If the Michigan Public Service Commission approves DTE s current proposal in rate case U , it will significantly reduce customers ability to choose their own source of energy. This will have negative outcomes for Michigan s average ratepayer as well. I should not have to payday for energy I produce. DTE wants to punish families who want to become more self-reliant, by slashing the value of solar and adding a punitive fee on customers. This is about reducing competition for DTE, not ensuring value for the average ratepayer. Please reject DTE s proposal to not only drastically change the billing structure, but also add additionally penalizing fees on solar customers. DTE s proposal is unfair and anti-consumer, and would make rooftop solar cost prohibitive to most Michiganders. This is not in the interest of ratepayers. Michigan should follow national standards by ensuring equitable compensation for solar homeowners who send extra electricity to neighbors. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) recommends not changing solar retail net-metering policies until distributed solar makes up 5% of a grid. Currently, residential solar makes up merely 0.5% of the grid in Michigan. Acting prematurely to an unequitable rate structure such as what DTE is proposing will risk punishing customers with an unproven billing scheme, and killing a thriving industry in the process. Lawrence Bad Axe, MI 48413

13 Charles Dineen Thursday, October 4, :07:21 PM I want to urge you to reject the proposal from DTE that will unnecessarily punish rooftop solar customers. DTE not only wants to eliminate fair rooftop solar billing, but also wants to add an extreme and punitive fee on rooftop solar customers. This type of fee has been rejected repeatedly by other states and uncompetitive and unfair. DTE s proposals would prevent many Michigan families from having access to the option of using solar power to reduce their electricity bills and their dependence on the grid. Prompted by 2016 legislation, Michigan embarked on a process to update net metering. However, DTE Energy, have used this as an opening to radically change the rules - devaluing solar and making it harder for residents to use solar power to lower their electricity costs. DTE s proposal is a far cry from the equitable tariff envisioned by lawmakers in the 2016 legislation. In fact, DTE s proposal would cost the average household with a 5 kw solar system at least $500 per year in extra fees and reduced compensation for solar. Please reject DTE s anti-consumer, anti-solar proposal. Charles Lawton, MI 49065