Below is the text of my talk yesterday at El Paso Electric's coal free celebration in San Jacinto Plaza Park. It was an honor to have been asked to speak.

Let’s begin with the term “carbon footprint”. Not too simply defined by Wikipedia it is: “The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).” Simply defined it is what all of us do daily: drive a car, turn on a light, water the yard (it takes energy to pump and clean water) or buy blueberries out of season that have been flown 5,000 miles on a jet from Chile, burning fuel from taxi to takeoff to landing.

So why should we care? Because the entire carbon footprint of the world – the entire human carbon footprint of the world especially in industrialized nations and particularly in the United States is causing climate change with some really radical results. Just in the past years there have been more devastating floods, tornadoes, droughts and wildfires – and not just here in America but on every continent of the world. We watch as polar ice melts, coral reefs die and hurricanes strengthen. And, should you have any doubts, how about a record-breaking 33 days of temperature over 100 degrees in El Paso so far this summer?

Of course, some human activities have a larger carbon footprint than others. It’s a bigger footprint to fly in a commercial aircraft than to drive to the neighborhood store. It’s a much bigger footprint to produce energy using coal than using natural gas. In fact, according to Greenpeace, coal is the single greatest threat to our climate. Mining and burning coal pollutes our air, water and land with mercury, heavy metals and the nitrous oxides which cause smog. And it destroys landscapes and ecosystems. 

A 500 MW coal power plant releases global warming emissions roughly equal to 600,000 cars. Yet, unlike a car, coal power plants are designed to last 40 years or so. The 4-Corners Power Plant from which El Paso Electric is no longer buying power, generates 2,040 MW of electricity in one year.  Each year the 4-Corners Plant belches out 16 million tons of carbon dioxide, the amount released by 2.8 million passenger vehicles. 

Additionally, the 4-corners plant releases 487 pounds of mercury, a powerful neurotoxin, 10,197 pounds of selenium, 10,199 pounds of benzene, a known carcinogen, and more than 9 million pounds of hydrochloric acid.

It’s not just a monstrous carbon footprint, it’s a human health and environmental be-he-moth.

So, when a regional electric utility that supplies 400,000 customers in a 10,000 square mile area cuts its ties with coal, it’s HUGE. As of July 6th El Paso Electric sold its 7% portion of the Four Corners Generating Station. The sale helps our utility lower its carbon footprint and makes our region and planet cleaner and more sustainable places to live. 

Also, in the past two years El Paso Electric has doubled its utility-scale solar power output, making them a leader in solar energy. All of El Paso Electric’s efforts combined help our region to meet its goals of resiliency and environmental friendliness. And they do more. They make our planet cleaner and they take us in the direction of reducing the calamity caused by climate change. 

Don't Miss This

Click on image to enlarge.

From Vic Kolenc's El Paso Times story, El Paso Electric celebrates coal-free status, last week: "By dumping coal, the company has eliminated 1 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually from its electric-generation portfolio, Kipp said. Carbon dioxide emissions have been linked to global warming."

In spite of recent battles with EPEC over their solar policy, environmentalists should celebrate and thank El Paso Electric for their divestment of coal as a source of energy. 

Here's a pic of the filthy Four Corners plant which had been supplying EPEC with their coal guzzling, carbon dioxide spewing generators:

From KOB4 News, New Mexico

EPEC Drops Solar Charge

 The best story that I've seen about the PUC settlement between El Paso Electric and a coalition from the solar community and environmentalists was written by Naveena Sadasivam for the Texas Observer this past Friday. Do read El Paso Electric Agrees to Kill Solar Fee for Customers. Do note that EPEC is not giving up its cause against rooftop solar. They'll go after the solar surcharge in the future according to Eddie Gutierrez, an El Paso Electric vice president. 

Mary Kipp

From Kipp takes over as EP Electric CEO by Vic Kolenc, El Paso Times
Photo by Victor Calzada

Earlier this week I met with the CEO of El Paso Electric, Mary Kipp. The time with her was not just informative but delightful. She has a very spontaneous, often perverse (in a fun way) sense of humor. I told her why I thought that EPEC was wrong regarding their policy toward rooftop solar and she shared her perspective.

The exchange was something akin to a Biology 101 student (me) speaking with a neurosurgeon (her). What I really discovered was that I was discussing solar energy with a fellow environmentalist - not a clandestine agent for the nefarious oil tycoons. (I also learned that Tom Shockley was not the evil minion of the Koch boys. Sorry, Tom.)

From PSEG El Paso Electric Solar Farm Inauguration,
El Paso Inc.
Photo from photo collection by Melody Parra

To be sure, we do have some differences of opinion. To solve the problem of carbon emissions (and, therefore, climate change), Kipp sees flaws in the rooftop solar approach. I was impressed with her sincerity and didn't see her thoughts on rooftop as being excuses to crush the competitors. Saying that she is an advocate of solar energy is an understatement.

If there was a flaw in her argument, it may have been because she was talking about solar in the context of the continuing existence of electrical utilities. (If I'm wrong, she can correct me the next time that we speak.) I still maintain that electric utilities are dinosaurian and already selected for extinction. More localized systems (perhaps as local as a single residence itself), are the future IMHO.

She did recommend that I read Bill McKibben's book, eaarth. I promised her that I would order it rightaway which I did. Thanks to Amazon Prime, it was at my doorstep this morning.

There is no doubt that EPEC's becoming coal free is the work of Shockley and the CEO whom he mentored: Mary Kipp. EPEC will even celebrate becoming coal free in a public event on Wednesday, August 3rd at 9:30 AM in the San Jacinto Plaza. It's a must attend.

Click on image to enlarge.

During our meeting Ms. Kipp was pleasantly straight forward. However, I do think that she misinformed me about one thing. She claimed that on her last birthday that she is older than she really is. I'm pretty sure that her Board would still approve of a 30ish CEO and take her knowledge, experience and expertise and not her age as the reasons to have made her CEO of EPEC.

With Triple Digit Temperatures, Time to Conserve Electricity

From Blue Planet Green Living

Today will be our eleventh straight day of triple digit temperatures. The weather prognosticators are already telling us that we are on our way to breaking the earlier record of 21 straight days. With such high temperatures, El Paso Electric is concerned about making up for the increased load and are asking for all of us to conserve energy. Wouldn't it be terrible if we have a blackout and we are stuck without air conditioning in 100+ degree weather? The toll on the elderly, the poor and our workplaces would be horrendous.

Alejandra Chavira, the El Paso Electric Company Coordinator of External and Public Affairs, sent out this message yesterday: "As our region continues to experience triple digit temperature days this week and into the next, El Paso Electric is encouraging the conservation of energy and other methods of energy efficiency across our service area." 

You can read EPEC's energy conservation tips HERE.

For more ideas and more comprehensive lists, check out the following:

100 Ways to Save Energy at Home

21 Tips: No-Cost Ways to Save Electricity

Why Choose ENERGY STAR Qualified LED Lighting (LEDs are much more energy efficient than CFLs)

I should point out that EPEC could really encourage energy savings by promoting rather than thwarting the rooftop solar energy industry.

A Modest Proposal

At this time I am very skeptical about utilities ever working with the rooftop solar industry. What the utilities want is an assurance that they will be the only game in town. If they own the solar panels, that's one thing. If you own the panels, that's another. Besides, the Koch Brothers and the petroleum industry do not want to lose control of their monopoly over energy. That is, of course, until peak oil has really peaked. By that time, the dinosaurian oil and gas industry will just about become extinct.

As Jim Schwarzbach posted yesterday on Citizens Against El Paso Electric's Attack on Solar, EPEC believes that it "has an inalienable right to any and all rate increases" and that they are "entitled to anything and everything they ask for."

By the way a prominent El Paso businessman who does business on both sides of the border told me yesterday that he pays more for electricity in El Paso than he does in Juarez. El Paso already has the highest rates in Texas.

So, here is my modest proposal. For every additional fee (or whatever EPEC calls it) that they tack on to the bill of rooftop solar owners, those owners get twice that amount by way of a reduction in or refund on their property taxes.

El Paso can go a step farther. They can reduce the cost of going solar by the same means—a property-tax reduction or refund.

Sooner or later, when there are so many mini-generating stations on homes and businesses, the City can tell EPEC that they are no longer needed … or even wanted for that matter.

Ratepayers and Solar Users Get the Shaft

The El Paso Times reports that City Council today agreed to a $37 million electric rate-hike settlement with the El Paso Electric Company. Simply put, your rates are going up and, of course, EPEC CEO, Mary Kipp, is happy. There won't be a separate solar rate class but solar rate customers will now pay an $11/month fee. That's up from no rate fee before. Eco-El Paso board member, Shelby Ruff, wrote on Facebook: "$11/month for a solar customer means that their first kilowatt of solar is basically being stolen by the Utility for their own profits. Oh, they forgot to mention they already tax each solar panel during the permit process, so now it's a double tax! FAIL EL PASO!"

Only Rep. Svarzbein voted against the agreement.

Bottom line: we, the ratepayers, are now feeding a business dinosaur more; and, henceforth, we should buy as few electrons as we can from EPEC. 

Senator Rodriguez issued the following statement about the City Council vote to authorize its legal counsel to settle the EPEC rate case according to terms outlined by counsel:

I commend the City of El Paso for diligently advancing settlement terms in El Paso Electric's current rate case that are advantageous to all ratepayers. 

Unfortunately, I still have concerns about proposals to increase fees on residential customers who chose to install solar panels on their homes.  I acknowledge that eliminating El Paso Electric's original proposal to move solar customers into a new rate category is a positive step.  For reasons I articulated to Council* and the Public Utility Commission of Texas,** I believe that proposal would have systematically overcharged solar customers. 

Nevertheless, I fear the remaining settlement terms may still disincentivize solar growth in El Paso.  As I understood those terms, solar customers would pay an additional $11 charge on their electric bill that can decline based on how much electricity the customer buys from El Paso Electric.  It is my understanding that most solar customers' average monthly savings is less than $10 a month, so I am concerned this new charge will still eliminate customers' financial incentive to use solar. 

Moreover, I understood the proposed settlement terms would only grandfather in customers who installed solar previous to El Paso Electric's rate case filing in August.  The number of new solar customers has nearly doubled since then.  These new customers may have invested substantial money installing solar, expecting to recoup that investment in monthly energy savings.  Now, their financial calculation is no longer valid.  This is unfair.  A better result would be to at least extend grandfathering provisions to the date when the PUC finally approves El Paso Electric's new rate regime. 

I understand that not all of the solar interveners in the rate case agree with this proposed settlement.  I look forward to seeing how the PUC will ultimately decide these remaining issues.  I would again urge the PUC to seriously consider the positive contributions residential solar brings to El Paso.


* Letter to City Council, November 18, 2015, http://interchange.puc.state.tx.us/WebApp/Interchange/Documents/44941_303_873542.PDF

** Letter to PUC, January 22, 2016, http://interchange.puc.state.tx.us/WebApp/Interchange/Documents/44941_629_879918.PDF

Here is Attorney Norman Gordon's presentation to City Council:

Elpaso #1240252-v1-city council-presentation_2-29-16 from elpasonaturally

Intervenor, Eco-El Paso, has not responded to an elpasonaturally inquiry whether they will agree to the settlement or continue pursuing the case with the PUC.

Tom Mays Underpass, Solar Energy, New Council and Glass Recycling

Rather than doing several posts, I decided to just bring you up to date about several items.

Photo by Rick Bonart

At long last the work has begun to construct a hike/bike/animal corridor underneath Transmountain to connect the FMSP land to the south to the FMSP’s Tom Mays Unit to the north. I had been made aware of this several weeks ago from a friend of mine and also a friend of TxDOT Regional Engineer Bob Bielek. Now the buzz has begun via email as some have passed by the construction site.

__________

On the solar front, a potential settlement on EPEC's rate case before the PUC may happen tomorrow. Some are saying that it is the best proposal, which means that nobody will be happy. Who may be the unhappiest: (1) all the folks who will lose their jobs when EPEC kills the solar industry in El Paso, (2) all current solar users and (3) all El Pasoans who will lose a chance to have a clean, sustainable energy future.

Take a look at what France is doing. Imagine roads of solar panels that you can drive on. 

Check out the Bloomberg Business Report Who Owns the Sun. Be sure to watch the video.

Also read New Report Reveals Electric Utility Industry's Influence at Universities. (Note that NMSU is part of the cabal.) It is clear that the fossil fuel and electric utility companies are "out to get" the distributed solar energy industry. 

Read Senator José Rodríguez's op-ed piece in yesterday's El Paso Times as well as his piece in the Rio Grande Guardian. HERE is what he wrote to the PUC. 

__________

Good news from last week's regular City Council meeting. An ordinance establishing a Regional Renewable Energy Advisory Council passed. Many thanks go to Rep. Peter Svarzbein for being proactive on Council rather than playing politics and being reactive.

__________

Finally, it seems like glass recycling in El Paso is off to a good start. Marshall Carter-Tripp reports: "I went to the Northwest Collection Center today.  As promised, no water bill was required.  What they had was four recycle bins along a wall.  They had different color tops.  You put the glass in the bins yourself.  Unfortunately the bin with the blue top had been pretty much filled with brown bottles, so I put my blue bottle in with the green bottle and hoped for the best.   The clear glass went in a bin with a grey top. Hope they will refine it a bit but it went well."

For the glass recycling pilot program to succeed, we not only should recycle bottles but use the end products for mulch and more.

El Paso Don't Get Shocked Rally

Click on image to enlarge.

Cards Stacked Against Solar

Very bad news. The Director of the Tariff and Rate Analysis for the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) filed his office's report with the PUCT yesterday. Here is the report's summary:

"EPE's requested establishment of a Partial Requirements rate class with a three-part rate design that includes a demand charge is a reasonable move towards more just and reasonable rates, is not unreasonably discriminatory or prejudicial towards distributed generation owners, and should be approved. The recommendations of parties opposed to this proposal should be rejected."

Jim Schwarzbach posted on the Facebook page Citizens Against El Paso Electric's Attack on Solar: "Goes to show how badly the deck is stacked against solar."

Indeed it is because Texas ought to change its name to "BigOilandia". (Check out how the University of Texas profits from their land holdings and the air pollution and spills for which that powerful institution is responsible for.) The petroleum industry, which brings you all the free methane that you will ever want along with destruction of ecosystems, earthquakes and water pollution with fracking, does not want any energy competitors. Ditto for power utilities. The result is a concerted effort all across the country to destroy the solar industry. 

You know who owns the Texas Railroad Commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality not to mention the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and most of the Legislature. If you don't know, just start looking at campaign contributions.

If you want to read El Paso Electric's playbook on solar just read the position paper on net metering by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, "the primary political advocacy group" (Wikipedia) of the Koch Boys. David is currently chairman.

Rooftop Solar Makes Sense - EPEC Just Wants to Steal

The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) "partners with Texas consumers, businesses, educators and local governments to reduce energy costs and maximize efficiency." In December 2008 they issued a report: Texas Energy Resource Assessment. To save you from reading all 196 pages, Plano Solar Advocates wrote a summary today,Valuing Distributed Generation.

The bottom-line is this: "Small renewable energy generation systems located at the point of use capture the benefits of renewable energy while reducing utility costs." These "generation systems" consist of "rooftop solar water heaters and solar electric systems, small wind energy generating systems, and ground-source heat pumping systems."

The report recommends that energy sources (such as rooftop solar) are critical to providing power within a distributed, aggregated system. In other words, we aren't dependent on one source of power - e.g., El Paso Electric Company power stations. Those who add this power to the system - rooftop solar users - should receive compensation for the energy that they produce. To do so requires net metering. The report recommends incentives for small renewable energy generation and fair compensation through net metering.

The El Paso Electric Company wants just the opposite. They want to destroy the rooftop solar industry in sunny El Paso and continue their monopoly of power. The huge natural gas and coal lobbies are behind them. They want you to buy from them and only them. 

If you want to know what can happen to El Paso and to El Paso jobs, read Nevada solar industry collapses after state lets power company raise fees. The Nevada power and utility commission granted the state's one utility, Nevada Energy, the ability to raise the fees and rates that rooftop solar users must pay. In essence Nevada Energy has now turned all rooftop solar panels into one big solar farm for themselves. Who is stealing from whom? Yet EPEC continues to lie that solar owners in El Paso aren't paying their fair share. Read between the lines. Solar owners (and all of us) must pay for the infrastructure needed because EPEC wants to remain its monopoly and do so on the bucks and backs of ratepayers rather than shareholders.

Should Low Flush Toilet Users Pay a Higher Rate for Their Water?

Want to know what to do with El Paso Electric Company's rate hike proposals and attack on solar?

Western water blogger, John Fleck, informs us today about the fact that using low-flush toilets is helping to conserve water across the country:

"Every toilet currently in stock at my local Home Depot has the EPA WaterSense label, even the cheapest ones, meaning they use 1.28 gallons per flush or less. This is a big part of why we see water use – on a per capita basis, but also in some cases on an absolute basis – going down in the United States."

Before the Energy Policy Act of 1992, toilets used 3 to 5 gallons of water when flushing. After implementation, toilets have used just 1.6 gallons. Now comes the 1.28 gallon per flush toilet. As Fleck shows in his graphs, low flush toilets have really contributed to water conservation (and money savings by owners).

So, why doesn't the El Paso Water Utilities/Public Service Board follow the example of the El Paso Electric Company? Shouldn't low flush toilet owners be put in a separate class of rate-payers who must pay higher rates for their water? These customers are using less water, so according to EPEC's logic, they are not contributing their fair share to the costs of infrastructure.

EPEC wants to put rooftop solar users into a new rate class and make them pay for electrons at a higher rate. They argue that these nefarious solar panel owners are stealing from their neighbors because they don't pay their fair share for new capital projects which benefit EPEC shareholders - not to mention benefiting EPEC executives and board members who are richly compensated for coming up with more ways to make you and me pay more.

So, why doesn't EPWU follow the example of EPEC? I suggest it's because EPWU/PSB has honesty and integrity and is fully aware that water conservation means that there is less of a need for new infrastructure except what's required by water scarcity, a reality all of us share.

Starve El Paso Electric Company

As a matter of conservation, I try to use as little power as possible in my home. I turn-off lights when I'm not using a room. I use a clothesline as long as the weather isn't inclement. I've been switching to LEDs. However, I now have another reason for cutting power: I want El Paso Electric Company to get as little from me as possible. They want to raise our rates and they want to destroy the rooftop solar industry in El Paso. I say that all of us boycott their product (electrical power) as much as we can.

So, I asked a friend who knows the utility industry better than anyone and has been at it probably longer than Edison and Tesla how to really, really slash electrical costs. Because he is well-known in the industry, he wants me to refer to him as "Silent Running". So, here are Silent Running's recommendations to all of us:


1. Use the clothesline as much as possible. This will be a solar clothes drying campaign. Let the El Paso Electric Company put a demand charge on that one! LOL!

2. Replace all lightbulbs with LEDS. Lighting is 8 to 11 % of the average person's annual bill. However, if everyone had LEDS, they would lose over a 100 megs or so of load at night. Conservative figure based on 240,000  residences and apartments with 500  watts on each  estimate  equals 120 megs. Also replace out doorway 60 watt lights or those  150 watt spot lights with LEDS That will reduce the draw down to the 22 to 13 watt range depending on what you replace them with.  

LED's  reduce  wattage around 78% from incandescent lights is a good rule. 

3. Get solar chargers for all cell phones and computers. This would hurt more than people think in the aggregate. It's HUGE! 

4. Make coffee with a gas percolator type coffee pot if you have a gas stove. If you have to use a Mr Coffee, make the coffee and then unplug it and reheat in microwave. Coffee makers draw something like like 1,500 or 1,800 watts more when on warm. Or, just buy a good thermos bottle.

5. Try to turn the heater down by 2 degrees. Every degree usually saves 3 % so give it a try.  

6. STOP VAMPIRE POWER LOSSES. Unplug  large electronics when not using so you reduce the Vampire power usage. Some of these TV's and other entertainment devices draw power when they are off. It's called vampire power loss.  Some studies say it's 10 to 15 %  of power usage in the modern entertainment center type of home. This is true of computers also. So there are now circuit switches that  can be hooked up between the device  and the wall power socket and they can cut the power draw. The  big box hardware stores have them. Some of the Energy Star rated appliances have this feature built in now. People have to ask the store people or go online to the manufacturers as some are responding to the need to limit Vampire power draw. This  would cut off El Paso Electric's gravy train of energy sales from refusing to feed the Vampire!

Summer Time

1.  Lower  house shades to keep the sun rays and heat out of your home.

2.  Wash clothes at night since there is less heat in the house. Then dry outside on your clothesline with good old solar rays. If you have to iron, do so at night when it is cool.

3.  Get a solar oven and have solar powered barbecues  with no air emissions or pollution. Invite your friends and start block parties so people don't use electricity or gas to cook in summer months  - also less heat in the house too.   Solar cook out parties  could grow into events  and people could get other ideas about using solar in different ways to  bypass the meter. 

4. If your refrigerator is movable, pull it away from wall and clean the dust buildup  so the coils are clean. Then keep jugs of  water in the refrigerator when food  volume is low. That way there is less empty space in the refrigerator and it cools off the objects and works less hard. Then as you buy more food remove the jugs as needed. Keep it full is the concept. It helps.

5. Get Solar powered  battery chargers and run your radio and stereo off batteries. A couple of solar panels at 300 watts each hooked up to some batteries could probably store enough power for 5 or 7 hours of TV and computer time. This would really cut into their gravy train.

6. Use the money you save to buy a DC powered refrigerator and hook it up to some solar panels and bypass the meter. 

As long as something isn't connected to a meter, El Paso Electric can't meter it! No special rate for these lifestyle habits.


Let them conspire to have lifestyle special electric rates to seek even more profit from the people.

Ask the Public Utility Commission to Say NO to El Paso Electric

The El Paso Electric Company wants to destroy the rooftop solar industry in El Paso. Instead, EPEC and our city should encourage the growth of this industry. However it seems as if those who advise the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) are going to recommend a lower raise in rates (but a raise nevertheless) while, at the same time, going along with EPEC's creating a new rate class for those who have rooftop solar and punishing them with much higher rates. (See my earlier post.) If you use solar now or want to do so in the future and you want to encourage the growth of this energy source, then write the Public Utility Commission and tell them to say NO to El Paso Electric. Jim Schwarzbach has made it easy for you to do this.

Visit El Paso Clean Energy, a web site created by Schwarzbach. He encourages us to write our own letter on our own stationery with our own ink signature. He provides this address:

Reference Case: 44941
Public Utility Commission of Texas
Attn: Filing Clerk
1701 N Congress Avenue

Austin TX 78711-3326

However, if you just want to send a letter with a few key strokes, then he has created sample letters that you can fill out. Just follow the instructions.

Please know that you can make a difference but you really do have to act. His FAQ page reveals that, as of yesterday (12/28/2015) El Paso Electric has filed 223 documents in the rate case, yet only 15 protest letters have been filed.

El Paso Electric is terrified that they will lose total control of our energy options. In the blog associated with the El Paso Clean Energy site, Jim writes:

". . .EPEC is scared of their shareholders losing profits when customers use clean solar power.  They want everybody to continue using the power they generate instead of allowing the homeowner to generate some, and they want to do this by segregating solar customers out from all the other customers and discriminating against them in a punitive manner.  Imagine if your grocery store decided to charge you more for meat and bread if you decided to start growing your own vegetables."

Now the Hard Work Begins

It was a slam dunk to get El Paso City Council to say "no" to the El Paso Electric Company's proposed rate hikes. It will be a whole different game with the Public Utility Commission of Texas. They are supposed to take up EPEC's case on January 15, 2016. Such cases usually take 30 days.

The El Paso Times reported yesterday (PUC staff: Electric rate request $17M too high) that a PUCT staff report recommended a lower rate hike. However, "[t]he PUC staff also allowed the utility to keep its proposed new rate class for residential customers with rooftop solar systems, which would increase those customers' electric rates more than regular residential customers. That proposal is being fought by solar-system installers, homeowners with solar systems and others."

Jim Schwarzbach of El Paso Title commented on Facebook today:

"In Friday's PUC filings, there is one staff recommendation that is troublesome. Brian T. Murphy, a Senior Rate Analyst in the Tariff and Rate Analysis Section of the Rate Regulation Division gave direct testimony on 12/18.

"In this direct testimony he clearly states that he thinks the city/county and university rate classes should go away, but he never mentions partial rate class by name. However, when asked if he supports the Company's proposed classes for the purpose of cost allocation he states 'Yes' without hesitation. He also states that:

"'It is equally important to adjust rate components in the rate design phase to address intra-class subsidies so that the charges experienced by customers within a class are more representative of cost. When customers within a class have not been bearing their fair share cost, it is appropriate to change the rate structure by adjusting the relationships among the existing rate components, or by introducing new, more accurate rate components, so that the charges experienced by customers more accurately represent the costs incurred by the utility to provide services to the customers.'

"I think that statement is his way of saying the residential rate class should be split into solar and non-solar, but he doesn't have the scrotal contents to come out and say it.


"I'm hoping that more staff direct testimony will be filed in the next few days. I also hope these are just recommendations and that the solar penalty known as partial requirement services can be thrown out—but I would have felt a lot better if Brian Murphy had come out against EPEC trying to kill solar."

All of this means that more than ever before, the people of El Paso must make it clear that they want the rooftop solar industry to be protected and they want it to grow with more incentives for people of all incomes to go solar.

The good news is that "U.S. lawmakers agreed to extend tax credits for solar and wind for another five years. This will give an unprecedented boost to the industry and change the course of deployment in the U.S." See Bloomberg Business report, What Just Happened in Solar Is a Bigger Deal Than Oil Exports. (Be sure to watch the video.)

Eco El Paso is a non-profit leading the fight for the rooftop solar industry and user here in El Paso against EPEC's attempt to destroy that industry. Board member, Shelby Ruff, urged people to write the PUC in this email:

"Eco El Paso needs your help!

"We are intervening against El Paso Electric at the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas to stop them from raising our electric rates and attacking solar homeowners by creating a new rate class that penalizes solar homeowners.

"PLEASE WRITE A LETTER TO THE PUC of TEXAS TODAY! Tell them NO to rate hikes and attacks on solar homeowners.

"Public Utility Commission of Texas
Attn: Filing Clerk
Rate Case #44941
1701 N. Congress Ave.

Austin, TX 78711-3326" 

Be sure to donate whatever you can to Eco El Paso. 

Also visit Citizens Against El Paso Electric's Attack on Solar on Facebook.

The really hard work begins now.

Is EPEC's Strategy To Be Bought Out?

El Paso Electric Company looks toward the Public Utility Commission of Texas to save their rate hike proposal in El Paso which includes putting rooftop solar customers into a special rate class while raising their rates by nearly 25%.  On December 8th, the El Paso City Council voted unanimously against the proposed rate increases and the “attack” on solar homeowners.

The El Paso Sierra Group has supported Eco El Paso financially in its effort to intervene against El Paso Electric both at City Council and now, most probably, in front of the PUCT.

Jefferies, a stock analysis group, predicted that EPEC’s game plan all along has been to take the matter before the Utility Commission. Jefferies reported: “[T]he company will take the long road to Austin for a litigated decision.” 
However, EPEC’s longer-range game plan may be more contemptible. In an interview with outgoing EPEC CEO, Tom Shockley, the El Paso Times revealed that he had been an officer of a company in the 1990’s which tried to take over El Paso Electric. Although that attempt failed, the EP Times reports that “Shockley said El Paso Electric may be courted by larger utility companies in the future.”

The implications of his statement are shocking. It seems that El Paso (and New Mexico) ratepayers are footing the bill for large infrastructure projects and exorbitant rates attractive to shareholders in order to make EPEC a more viable and lucrative takeover target.

The PUCT hearing is set for early next year.

Visit www.ecoelpaso.org to help the fight against EPEC.

As Predicted

Here is an email from Shelby Ruff the Co-Founder of Off Grid Hardware:

"City Council Voted NO [unanimously] against El Paso Electric’s proposed rate increases & attacks on solar homeowners.  A letter will be sent to the Utility CEO Today to make it official.

"Please continue to support your local non-profits that are paying for the lawyers to intervene on behalf of the citizens of El Paso so we can have a voice. Eco El Paso (www.EcoElPaso.org) is a major voice in this case. EPEC may appeal the ruling to the PUC of Texas so we’re not done yet.  We need your support at Eco El Paso and every dollar and volunteer matters a great deal!

"We will keep you posted as the case continues with the Public Utility Commission of Texas and our lawyer will continue to battle on our behalf." 

Senator Rodríguez issued the following statement regarding El Paso City Council's unanimous vote to oppose El Paso Electric Company's proposed rate increases:


"The City Council did the right thing in deciding to contest El Paso Electric's rate proposal, which would raise rates for all residential customers by about 10 percent, and at least double that for customers with rooftop solar. This is particularly troubling because residential solar installation is rapidly growing in El Paso, providing relief to the grid and well-paying building trades jobs for community members. I look forward to the City vigorously advocating for all El Paso Electric customers as the rate case progresses."

Count on EPEC appealing the case to the PUCT. That has been there plan all along.

City Council Will Say No to EPEC Tomorrow

El Paso Electric and the Coming of the Solar Industry.
Image source: thetimes.co.uk

Item 20.1 on tomorrow's City Council agenda calls for discussion and action on El Paso Electric Company's rate hike proposals. Council will overwhelmingly vote it down. EPEC expects Council's denial and has expected it all along. I quoted Jefferies the other day saying that EPEC would take the "long road to Austin." (They are depending on the PUCT to side with them.) That is why it is so important to donate to Eco El Paso so that they can continue to be an intervenor throughout the process.

Understand, it will be good for a large number of people to show up to Council tomorrow in opposition to the rate hike and the attempt to destroy small businesses and take away jobs from the rooftop solar industry. You can get all the facts about the case and about our energy future at Eco El Paso.

Just remember, EPEC is in this fight for the long haul. No dinosaur goes down without a fight except against an asteroid and then he goes down for good.

El Pasoans Oppose EPEC Rate Hike Proposal

When do solar users, Western Refinery, El Paso Association of Builders, environmentalists, a Roman Catholic priest, the City of El Paso and home owners come together? When El Paso Electric proposes ridiculous rate hikes and a new classification for solar users. That's when. 

You can read the El Paso Times story HERE.

El Paso Electric's CEO, Tom Shockley, who was compensated $1.99 Million in 2014, argued that rates for each class must be brought up to cost. Of course, that cost is based on outdated models and outdated methods of production. As Western Refinery pointed out, the cost of a kW is the cost of a kW. It is no different whether you or I buy it or a solar owner buys it or Western Refinery buys it. BTW, Western Refinery let it be known that they are now looking into ways to produce their own electricity. Why buy it from the private company that acts like a public utility and makes $90 Million or so per year and pays Shockley nearly $2 Million? One speaker referred to him as the "Sheriff of Nottingham" from the legend of Robin Hood.

Although EPEC ads and their flim-flam yesterday at City Council continues to purport that everyone is subsidizing solar, it is the other way around. Solar users add to the grid. I'll say that again. Solar users add to the grid. The number of solar users is growing and the job market (primary and so on) is growing with it as evidenced yesterday by nearly a half of Council chambers being taken by Solar City employees. 

Ray Adauto, the President of the El Paso Association of Builders, cited a report on national trends showing that, by 2018, one-half of home builders will be using solar voltaics and ground source heating. The trend is toward being more green with the expectation that, by 2020, 81% of American home builders will be green. In El Paso, Carefree Homes and Saratoga Homes have already begun installing solar panels on the homes that they build in El Paso.

In spite of all the opposition to El Paso Electric's rate hike proposals as demonstrated by 99% of those in attendance at yesterday's City Council meeting, EPEC may still have everyone on the ropes. Agreement with City Council is unlikely to be reached so the utility will litigate at the Public Utility Commission of Texas. A November 20, 2015 Jefferies stock report predicts:

"Since the 2012 Show Cause order City Council has four new members (out of eight), a new mayor and a new city manager. While some investors may recall the 2012 Show Cause proceeding, which coincided with Occupy El Paso, it seems from recent press reports that the current City Council may struggle to approve any rate request. Local press reports have emotions running high at the Council over municipal identification cards and a 25% raise to the new city manager. Also Representative Cortney Niland, who in 2012 spearheaded the Show Cause proceeding, narrowly won reelection in May 2015 which we believe will lessen her ability to steer any discussion on utility matters at the Council. Jefferies believes that the politics in El Paso may add to the uncertainty with the rate filing and believe the company will take the long road to Austin for a litigated decision."

The issue is whether smaller intervenors such as Eco El Paso can continue to afford an attorney. Check out www.ecoelpaso.org and, if you can, please donate.

The peak of rhetoric came from Representative Peter Svarzbein in what must go down in the annals of El Paso history as the "Is It Fair" speech. To hear it, go to the city's video page > Special Council Meetings > 12/02/15. Advance to 1:08:07.

Mayor Leeser answered his rhetorical questions thus: "No it isn't," the Mayor said, "and that is why the City is intervening.

Stop El Paso Electric Limiting Our Ability to Go Solar

Senator Rodriguez's office issued this press release:

Stop EPE from limiting our ability to go solar

WHAT: Solar advocates and concerned Texans will rally in front of El Paso City Hall as they provide public comment in opposition of El Paso Electric (EPE) anti-solar proposal.  The special El Paso City Council meeting on December 2nd is being held in response to public pressure against EPE’s proposed rate increases and discriminatory tax on solar customers. The El Paso City Council will take public testimony beginning at 9 a.m. on December 2. The Council is expected to weigh in on the rate case at their December 8th meeting.

WHEN:  Wednesday, December 2nd
            Rally: 8:30 am
            Public Hearing: 9:00 am

WHERE:  El Paso City Hall
              300 N. Campbell St, El Paso, TX  79901

Background: EPE’s proposal will impede the ability of its customers to go solar and exercise energy choice. The high demand charges, part of three charges included in the proposal would undermine the investments of middle class Texas families, churches and schools that desire to control ever increasing utility charges.

Also be sure to check out ecoelpaso.org for more information and to take action.