MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A federal regulatory group will not take action against the Alabama Public Service Commission over fees allowed on home solar panels, but the group’s chairman expressed concern that the state might be violating federal law designed to encourage alternative energy sources.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected a request from environmental groups to take enforcement action against the Alabama regulators that approved Alabama Power’s fees on home solar panel s and other home power generation. However, two members of the five-member panel, Commission Chairman Richard Glick and Commissioner Allison Clements, issued a separate statement Wednesday to express concern that Alabama regulators may be violating federal policies designed to encourage the development of cogeneration and small power production facilities and to reduce the demand for fossil fuels.
Their statement expresses a concern “that the Alabama Public Service Commission may be violating the Commission’s (Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act or PURPA) regulations, undermining the statute’s purpose of encouraging qualifying facilities.”
Alabama environmental groups said Thursday that they are prepared to pursue action in court.
Homeowners and an environmental groups have been trying to challenge Alabama Power’s fees on home solar panels and other independent energy production, arguing that the fees purposely discourage the use of solar in the sun-rich state.