Fwd: Cherri Harper's testimony HB2458 and SB280
che...@wamego.net
Dear All,Please see my testimony opposing Senate Bill 280 and House Bill 2458 both of which are attempting to change net metering agreements and imposing a solar tariff.
Cherri HarperSent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
On Jan 28, 2014, at 10:12 PM, "Cherri Harper" <che...@wamego.net> wrote:Testimony OPPOSING Senate Bill 280
before the Senate Utilities Committee
by
Cheryl Harrington Harper
1420 Jarvis Drive
Manhattan, Kansas 66502
785-537-9029 Office 785-410-3125 Cell
My name is Cheryl Harrington Harper. I am a 65 year old, native Kansan business owner who takes the long view, and I have invested in “rooftop solar” to help protect my assets as I approach retirement and living on a fixed income. I very strongly oppose Senate Bill 280 that proposes changes to the net metering agreement and allowing the Kansas Corporation Commission to impose a “solar tariff” on those of us generating electricity via solar panels on our properties.
Being a descendant of Kansas homesteaders I have an independent streak that runs deep within me, and like my ancestors, I have always made it on my own. I am a landlord and have successfully run my own business in Kansas for 31 years.
I have planned for my retirement. Part of that plan is to provide a portion the electricity I need with my own solar panels. The cost of gasoline has increased dramatically in my lifetime. Does anyone remember when it was 29 cents a gallon? Recently, there has been a huge increase in the cost of propane in response to the lasting, extremely cold weather. And, the price of electricity has also been increasing steadily and may continue to do so.
I cannot produce gasoline or propane. So, the only way, I can control my expenses in this price escalating market is to produce some of my own electricity.
Another benefit to having roof top solar production is the value it has added to my property. Homes with modern, efficient, no maintenance solar panels tend to appreciate in value, and, when placed on the market for sale, tend to sell 40 % more quickly than homes without solar panels. By limiting a new owner’s opportunity to have a net metering agreement, my concern is that these proposed changes will reduce the added value I have gained.
My husband and I took the risk of this investment. Westar has taken no risk because of our installation of solar panels to generate some of our electricity. Our solar installation has cost Westar nothing. We who are generating a little extra from time to time and sending it to Westar are not hurting Westar or anyone else. Westar gets to sell that excess to my neighbors as if Westar had generated those kilowatt hours.
I am not now, nor have I ever been a freeloader/freerider as some have called those of us with solar. I resent the labeling and name-calling, and I do not appreciate SB 280’s proposed limitations to my landowner rights / sovereignty.
Testimony OPPOSING HB 2458
before the House Energy and Environment Committee
by
Cheryl Harrington Harper
1420 Jarvis Drive, Manhattan, Kansas, 66502
785-537-9029 Office 785-410-3125 Cell
My name is Cheryl Harrington Harper. I am a 65 year old, native Kansan business owner who takes the long view, and I have invested in “rooftop solar” to help protect my assets as I approach retirement and living on a fixed income. I very strongly oppose House Bill 2458 that proposes changes to the net metering agreement and allowing the Kansas Corporation Commission to impose a “solar tariff” on those of us generating electricity via solar panels on our properties.
Being a descendant of Kansas homesteaders I have an independent streak that runs deep within me, and like my ancestors, I have always made it on my own. I am a landlord and have successfully run my own business in Kansas for 31 years.
I have planned for my retirement. Part of that plan is to provide a portion the electricity I need with my own solar panels. The cost of gasoline has increased dramatically in my lifetime. Does anyone remember when it was 29 cents a gallon? Recently, there has been a huge increase in the cost of propane in response to the lasting, extremely cold weather. And, the price of electricity has also been increasing steadily and may continue to do so.
I cannot produce gasoline or propane. So, the only way, I can control my expenses in this price escalating market is to produce some of my own electricity.
Another benefit to having roof top solar production is the value it has added to my property. Homes with modern, efficient, no maintenance solar panels tend to appreciate in value, and, when placed on the market for sale, tend to sell 40 % more quickly than homes without solar panels. By limiting a new owner’s opportunity to have a net metering agreement, my concern is that these proposed changes will reduce the added value I have gained.
My husband and I took the risk of this investment. Westar has taken no risk because of our installation of solar panels to generate some of our electricity. Our solar installation has cost Westar nothing. We who are generating a little extra from time to time and sending it to Westar are not hurting Westar or anyone else. Westar gets to sell that excess to my neighbors as if Westar had generated those kilowatt hours.
I am not now, nor have I ever been a freeloader/freerider as some have called those of us with solar. I resent the labeling and name-calling, and I do not appreciate HSB 2458’s proposed limitations to my landowner rights / sovereignty.
<Testimony Opposing netmetering and solar tariff HB2458.doc>
<Testimony opposing netmetering and solar tariff SB280.doc>