Today, we partnered with 350-Milwaukee to deliver our petitions to We Energies calling on them to stop the attack on consumer-generated clean energy and give up efforts to impose a solar tax on residential and commercial solar installations.
Among the over 1,000 petitions signatures/statements to We Energies we’re turning in, here are some of the great things people wrote:
“If you truly believe in capitalism and a FREE MARKET economy you can't impose taxes and fees to crush opposition to your own interests. Clean, renewable energy is the future. Want to stay rich? Just get on board. Otherwise remember that millennials are now the largest segment of the population, and so it follows that soon we will be the largest voting demographic. If you aren't willing to cater to our interests, be prepared to be destroyed by an influx of educated, environmentally conscious Americans.” – Alexandra Gilgenbach, Milwaukee
“This is just a ridiculous idea. Here's an example, say I don't want to get my veggies from the grocery store anymore so I decide to grow my own. Does this now mean that the grocery store is entitled to some of my garden? Absolutely not.”
– Sean Menor, Green Bay“I don't use solar myself, but it seems absurd to me that folks who are spending money to pioneer renewable energy in Wisconsin should be penalized for doing so. Instead of charging solar users more, WE Energies should move to renewables (especially solar) faster. The climate crisis will not end until we stop the use of fossil fuels. The PSC should not enable WE Energies to slow down solar adoption.”
–Mike McCallister, West Allis“I have lived in Wisconsin my entire life, and I have always been proud of the Wisconsin spirit to move forward with purpose and be at the forefront of progress. I am a We Energies customer on the 100% clean energy plan, because I believe it is the right thing to do even though you charge me more for it. Rooftop solar energy is the way forward in conjunction with wind, solar arrays, pumped hydro storage, etc. The age of coal and oil is over. If you need to charge maintenance fees in order to maintain the grid, then charge them equally across all customers. Singling out rooftop solar owners simply because they purchase less electricity from you is regressive and wrong. Please, show true Wisconsin spirit and be part of the way forward.”
– John Rothe, Milwaukee“We the people will not allow the sun to be privatized!” – Teresa Rosine
The full petition reads:
Stop the attack on consumer-generated clean energy and give up efforts to impose a solar tax on residential and commercial solar installations!
According to the judge that rejected your similar attempt five years ago, customer generated power is a benefit to We Energies, producing electricity during times of peak demand. In addition, this clean, distributed power improves public health and reduces harmful environmental impacts.
In order to protect our health, safety, climate and economy from the effects of human-caused climate change, it’s critical that we transition away from fossil fuels to clean, renewable forms of energy. As a utility, you have the biggest ability to make this transition happen.
Your recent investment in the Two Rivers and Badger Hollow solar farms demonstrates your recognition of the importance of solar energy for our environment, for our electricity make-up, and for all of us. The application to the Public Service Commission for a solar fee and increased mandatory fee is a step in the wrong direction.
Please work to create a plan to remove barriers for your customers to install clean energy including removing any fees associated with getting solar and reducing the mandatory charge customers pay just for having clean energy. Both of these make it more difficult and less cost-effective for customers to get clean energy.
Petition signors were located all over Wisconsin, demonstrating the impact the solar tax would have: