Campaign trying to help, but hurting solar cause

[Shelagh Bocoum]

I received the following email asking me to take action urging power companies to keep rates low.

"Starting April 1, hundreds of thousands of D.C. metro area residents who are behind on their utility bills could have their power and gas shut off.

"Higher energy prices, a result of deregulated markets, have led to rising electricity and natural gas costs. An average monthly Pepo bill for D.C. customers rose from $58.16 in 2004 to $103.67 in 2009.

"There should be no shutoffs of heat and electricity for the people of the D.C. metro area. Gas and electric rates should be rolled back--they were raised several months ago to increase profits for utility giants.

"It's time to bail out the people, instead of giving trillions of tax dollars to the banks and corporations that created this economic crisis.

"Take a moment to write a letter demanding that the lights stay on!"

I responded with my own letter, stating the following:

Hello,

My husband is an electrician and installs solar panels. The work is drying up because no one can afford large projects like this that take several years to pay for themselves. If utility prices are kept artificially low, even fewer people will have an incentive to do the projects.

We need to keep utility prices high but the profits need to be heavily taxed (like a carbon tax), and the government can take the proceeds to help subsidize poor people but also promote solar, wind, etc.

Then people will have an incentive to cut back on their electricity usage and buy more energy-efficient appliances and lights.

Please do the right thing for the environment -- your grandchildren will thank you!

Sincerely,

Shelagh Bocoum

P.S. Renewable energy advocates: What do you think of this issue? What other factors need to be considered? Is there a better way of making the case?

To take action on this issue, click on the link below:
https://secure2.convio.net/pep/site/Advocacy?s_oo=NvV9NZX2nRdmq4G973wQyA..&id=237
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