WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following is a statement from Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), on the unanimous settlement approved today to resolve Oncor Electric Delivery Company’s 2017 rate case:

“SEIA supports the Texas Commission’s approval today of the settlement in Oncor's rate case. We’re pleased that Oncor agreed to withdraw its original proposal to institute a solar rate specially designed to impose a minimum bill on residential customers who have or will install solar.

“The original proposal would have instituted a permanent minimum bill for residential customers based on their electricity usage prior to installing a solar system. No amount of solar generation or energy efficiency could have reduced that charge.

“We support the unanimous settlement approved today as it will allow current and future solar customers the freedom to choose their energy source without fear of financial penalty. Regardless of how they are labeled, minimum bills based on historic usage without prior warning are unfair to any customer and have no relation to cost-based rates.

“Texas has some of the strongest solar resources in the nation and is home to nearly 9,400 employees in the U.S. solar industry. We look forward to working with Oncor to ensure solar growth can continue, cementing the state’s role as one of the top and fastest-growing solar states in the country.”

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About SEIA®:

Celebrating its 43rd anniversary in 2017, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry, which now employs more than 260,000 Americans. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America.  SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to build jobs and diversity, champion the use of cost-competitive solar in America, remove market barriers and educate the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Media Contact:

Morgan Lyons, SEIA Communications Coordinator, [email protected] (202) 556-2872