One State's Effort to Expand renewables with Better Virtual-net metering rules

Governments, we've said many times, sets the playing field, with new legislation, credits, changes in core policy, for economic growth.  Or, doesn't.  Rhode Island right now is going through one of those "open up the playbook and invite competition" moments.  We are posting this as it is instructional for us all.

This email is from a first-year member of their General Assembly.  He is advocating for enlarging their potential customer base for virtual net metering;  which is really a simple process of getting off takers of renewables.  Unfortunately he is running against opposition from RI's grid, not always friendly to alternative energy sources, and, with their push, the governor's office as well.

If politics did not play a role, and each party focused on the economics, would the same hurdles be in place?  Do you have similar stories in your communities?



Energy policy can be boring.

And this email is about energy policy.

But I'm writing with a really important issue, and one of my top legislative priorities this year, so I hope you'll hear me out - because it may be the key to a more vibrant economy for our state and lower energy costs for your family.

Now, most of us understand the urgent need to cut dirty fossil fuel emissions in response to the climate catastrophe hurtling towards us. But I don't think everyone knows how important this work is to our economy. The state's 2016 Clean Energy Industry Report found that clean energy employment grew 40% last year, to 14,000 jobs. And these are good-paying, family-supporting jobs, too!

Add that to the moral imperative of acting on climate change, and we have an incredibly powerful rationale to go full steam ahead with a transition to 100% clean energy.

Our goal, then, should be to take renewable energy to scale in our state, which is why I have been fighting hard to push for an ambitious expansion of Rhode Island's electric net metering program to allow "virtual" or off-site net metering by all customers.

Okay, this is where it gets a bit wonky. But it's not as confusing as it sounds, and this policy may allow you to dramatically lower your energy costs, so bear with me.

Net metering is a policy that allows those who install renewable energy systems such as solar panels to connect them to the electric grid and receive credit on their bill for the energy they generate. It makes sense (folks should be compensated for the energy they're producing) and creates a major economic incentive to create these renewable projects.

The problem is that right now, net metering can only apply to projects that are physically on a customer's property. But only about 25% of rooftops in Rhode Island are currently appropriate or eligible for solar systems, whether because of shading, angling, or because they're not owner-occupied. So right off the bat we're excluding three quarters of Rhode Islanders from joining this market.

By expanding net metering to include off-site generation as well, we can ensure that every business, every nonprofit, every family has an opportunity to access the benefits of cheap and stable renewable energy, whether or not their direct premises are suitable for a solar system.

That means a lot more demand for these projects, which means more businesses stepping up to fill that demand, which means more jobs, more clean energy, and lower costs for all of us who use the grid.

It also means more equity. Off-site net metered systems can be designed to serve multiple customers, providing a way for renters and low-income families to join together on community renewable projects that they could never site or afford on their own. As we transition to a clean energy economy, we can't leave anyone behind, so it is critical that we open virtual net metering to all Rhode Islanders - not just those who own their own homes or can afford to build a full system.

That's why I've been fighting for this expansion, despite aggressive resistance from the utility. National Grid has a monopoly on our electricity system, and they don't want any competition from distributed renewable energy.

Unfortunately, the Governor's office is in danger of giving in to National Grid, which wants a cap for all new virtual net metering development that would allow just a few projects to be created, versus the hundreds and hundreds we need to bring renewable energy to scale in our state.

National Grid has millions of dollars (our ratepayer dollars) to spend on advocacy. But we can overcome their corporate lobbying - if we're willing to stand up. Will you join me in telling the Governor that this is not the time for timid incrementalism? You can send this message, or one like it, to her office by clicking here:

Governor Raimondo, I urge you to stand strong against National Grid's efforts to limit virtual net metering. I am counting on you to ensure all Rhode Islanders have an opportunity to access this program. Most importantly, please do not impose a megawatt cap on new virtual net metering projects. We need a bold expansion of virtual net metering, not one that sacrifices jobs, energy security, and climate action to appease National Grid.