State Sen. Rodriguez says El Paso Electric rate case ‘discriminates’ against solar

El Paso State Sen. Jose Rodriguez held a rally Monday to oppose El Paso Electric’s latest rate case proposal, which he called unfair for those who have solar panels on their Sun City homes.

According to El Paso Electric, if the rate case is accepted, a regular residential service customer, with an average bill of $71 a month, would see an increase of $8.41 per month or about a 12 percent increase.

Meanwhile, rooftop solar customers, who have an average bill of $45 a month, would see an increase of $12 dollars per month, or about a 24 percent increase.

Monday’s rally, attended by about 30 people, was held at a Central El Paso home that has a solar panel installed. Rodriguez went as far as saying the rate case “discriminates” against solar panel customers, punishing them for choosing to invest in solar power, something he thinks will hurt the solar industry here in El Paso.

“It will discourage them from installing solar panels in their homes,” Rodriguez said. “It’s very simple. Why would they do that if they are going to have to pay a higher tariff, a higher tax if you will, on their energy cost?”

El Paso Electric defends the move, pointing out it needs to increase rates because it has invested more than $1.3 billion in new generation and transmission infrastructure. CEO Tom Shockley said if solar panel customers don’t pay for it, other users without solar panels will have to.

“We just don’t think that’s fair,” Shockley said. “So our recommendation is really intended to try and level the playing field for those that can’t afford rooftop solar.”

Rodriguez said if the rate case passes, solar businesses in El Paso — trying to convince others to go solar — will be hit hard.

“I think our installers have already indicated, if this proposal goes through, it’s going to discourage them from operating their businesses in El Paso,” Rodriguez said. “It’s going to discourage other businesses from coming into El Paso.”

Larry Perea, president of Solar Smart Living in Sunland Park, said sales of solar panels will take a hit.

“Basically, what the utility has done is that they’ve decided to reduce the kilowatt cost to a solar home owner,” Perea said, “but levy a demand charge to that solar home owner.”

Some solar business owners went as far as saying that El Paso Electric is trying to make solar power “unattractive” to El Pasoans. Shockley had this to say in response.

“Anyone can generate all of their electricity and get off the grid if that’s their choice,” Shockley said. “If they stay on the grid, though, we feel like we need to find a fair way to charge for it.”

El Paso City Council is scheduled to discuss the rate case at its Dec. 2 meeting and vote on it Dec. 8.