By a vote of 14-4, the Kentucky House Natural Resources and Energy Committee approved House bill 227 on Thursday. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jim Gooch, is supported by Kentucky’s electric cooperatives because it addresses the unfair cost-shifting inherent in the commonwealth’s current “net-metering” system.
Three committee members declined to vote. Representatives Tim Couch, Dennis Keane and Rick Nelson expressed concerns that they hoped to address before the full House. Rep. Jim Wayne abstained, citing a conflict because he does business with a solar company.
At least five of the “yes” votes were accompanied by calls for changes to the bill when it is debated in the House.
- Rep. Myron Dossettsaid he reserves the right to vote “no” on the House floor. He said he works to represent his constituents, which includes those employed at a large ethanol plant and in the coal fields. He sees the bill as an opportunity to help those families. But says there are concerns on all sides.
- Rep. Jim DuPlessissaid “I think this bill gives too big of a haircut to the solar companies and to the solar user. But I think its intentions are correct in trying to correct some of the fixed costs that are not being covered right now.” adding “What I have come to find on this bill, like a lot of things in like, there are two sides. Like a pancake, both sides need to see some heat.”
- Rep. Daniel Elliott wants change on the floor.
- Rep. Steve Riley wants compromise.
- Rep. Jill York voted to move forward, with reservations
Before voting in favor of HB 227, Rep. Jim Stewart first told several stories of bad experiences with utilities, including a utility worker who wouldn’t give him a ride when he ran out gas, a utility which tried to prevent Stewart from paying his father’s power bill, and his intervention with the PSC for a constituent who was having trouble completing a home purchase because of an unpaid bill from a previous owner. Yet Stewart voted “yes,” explaining that an LG&E/KU worker had helped him recently. Stewart mentioned LG&E/KU lobbyist David Friebert by name when casting his vote.
Though the committee room was standing room only, it did not appear that as many anti-227 activists showed up compared to last week’s hearing.
Media in attendance included:
Lexington Herald-Leader – John Cheves
http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article199091289.html
Associated Press – Adam Beam
This is a brief article. The reporter also interviewed the Consumer Energy Alliance and I expect a longer article to eventually appear.
WHAS-TV – Chris Williams,
TBD
WFPL-FM (NPR) – Ryland Barton
http://wfpl.org/kentucky-committee-passes-controversial-net-metering-bill/
The Courier-Journal did not attend, but Jim Bruggers filed a story:
