By Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | AZ Mirror
A bill that would have opened up the door for Arizonans to install small plug-in solar energy systems on their back patios, balconies or backyards died in committee amid opposition from utility companies Tuesday.
The measure would have barred utilities from requiring customers to obtain prior approval, pay additional fees or install additional equipment to use a “portable solar generation device.”
Such devices, which can range between $500 to $2,000 have become a new area of legislative interest across the nation as President Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have rolled back incentives for solar, wind and other renewable energy initiatives.
House Bill 2843 was scheduled to be considered Tuesday by the House Natural Resources, Water and Energy Committee, but the panel’s chairwoman did not allow it to receive a vote. Chairwoman Gail Griffin, R-Hereford, said that was because of concerns from public utilities, though she still allowed for testimony on the bill.
