Governor Newsom vetoed SB 1374 (Becker) to roll back a rule passed by California’s Public Commission (CPUC) that stripped away the benefits of going solar from schools, farms, and apartments. The CPUC rule denies those types of multimeter properties the ability to use the solar energy they produce on-site, and instead forces them to buy their own solar back from the utility at full retail prices. In doing so, the rule eliminates a major incentive to go solar at a time when California should be ramping up solar installations.

Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar and Storage Association issued the following statement on Governor Newsom’s veto:

California should be in the golden age of solar, but our state's regulators – backed by powerful utilities that fear solar competition – are intent on halting California’s clean energy progress. 

Time after time the CPUC has sided with utilities to make solar less affordable for Californians. First they drastically reduced the credits residents in single family homes get for contributing their excess solar back to the grid, which dramatically slowed solar growth and led to the loss of 17,000 jobs. 

Then the CPUC went even further by preventing consumers on multimeter properties from using the solar energy they generate themselves and instead making them buy energy from utilities at the full retail rate. That decision put solar out of reach for schools, farms, small businesses and apartments that want to save money and do their part for the environment. 

Then the CPUC went even further by preventing consumers on multimeter properties from using the solar energy they generate themselves and instead making them buy their own solar energy back from utilities at the full retail rate. That decision put solar out of reach for schools, farms, small businesses and apartments that want to save money and do their part for the environment. 

By vetoing SB 1374, Governor Newsom reaffirmed the CPUC’s shortsighted decision. It is yet another step in the wrong direction and sign that California still is not serious about being a worldwide leader in affordable clean energy.

Despite this setback, solar advocates give a special thanks to Senator Becker for being a solar champion. We are especially appreciative of the active and strong coalition of schools, renters, and farmers who made their voices heard and helped SB 1374 reach the Governor’s desk.