Current:Home > InvestJudge refuses to dismiss Alabama lawsuit over solar panel fees -Nova Finance Academy
Judge refuses to dismiss Alabama lawsuit over solar panel fees
View
Date:2025-04-15 11:57:07
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit against the Alabama Public Service Commission over fees it allows Alabama Power to charge customers who use solar panels to generate some of their own electricity.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled Monday that a group of homeowners and the Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution can pursue a lawsuit challenging the fees as a violation of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, a 1978 law that promotes renewable energy production.
The fees, $27 per month on a 5kW solar system, are charged to customers who are hooked up to the Alabama Power grid but also use solar panels to generate a portion of their electricity.
Alabama Power has maintained that the stand-by fees are needed to maintain infrastructure to provide backup power when the panels aren’t providing enough energy. Environmental groups argue that the fees improperly discourage the use of home solar power panels in the sun-rich state.
“We will continue our efforts to require the Commission to follow the law and not allow Alabama Power to unfairly charge customers who invest in solar,” Christina Tidwell, a senior attorney in the Southern Environmental Law Center’s Alabama office, said in a statement.
Tidwell said the “unjustified fee” erodes customers’ expected savings and makes it “impractical to invest in solar power.”
The Public Service Commission and Alabama Power had asked Thompson to dismiss the lawsuit. They argued the federal court did not have subject-matter jurisdiction.
A spokesperson for Alabama Power said the company, as a matter of practice, does not comment on pending legal matters. The Public Service Commission also declined to comment.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2021 rejected the environmental groups’ request to take enforcement action against the Public Service Commission. However, two members of the five-member panel issued a separate statement expressing 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.
veryGood! (31)
Related
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Tom Brady Reveals How His Kids Would React If He Unretired Again
- A company cancels its plans to recover more Titanic artifacts. Its renowned expert died on the Titan
- What causes gray hair at an early age? Here's what you need to know.
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Looking for last-minute solar eclipse glasses? These libraries and vendors can help
- St. Louis launches program to pay $500 a month to lower-income residents
- A Georgia deputy shot and killed a man he was chasing after police say the man pulled out a gun
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Black student suspended over his hairstyle to be sent to an alternative education program
Ranking
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- RHOSLC's Heather Gay Responds to Mary Cosby's Body-Shaming Comments
- Liberian President George Weah seeks a second term in a rematch with his main challenger from 2017
- Jada Pinkett Smith Says Chris Rock Once Asked Her on a Date Amid Will Smith Divorce Rumors
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Carlee Russell, whose story captivated the nation, is due in court over the false reports
- Jada Pinkett Smith says she and Will Smith were separated for 6 years before Oscars slap
- Why the price of Coke didn't change for 70 years (classic)
Recommendation
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Family Dollar issues huge recall for over-the-counter drugs, medical devices in 23 states
St. Louis launches program to pay $500 a month to lower-income residents
Get That Vitamix Blender You've Wanted on Amazon October Prime Day 2023
Bodycam footage shows high
New Zealand immigration hits an all-time high as movement surges following pandemic lull
A train has derailed in India killing at least 1 passenger and injuring 30 others
Liberian President George Weah seeks a second term in a rematch with his main challenger from 2017