Wisconsin State Commission Backs Electric Bill Hikes, ‘Solar Tax’

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted for a rate plan submitted by We Energies that environmentalists say penalizes customers who conserve energy and jeopardizes the fledgling solar industry in southeastern Wisconsin.

“We feel like what the PSC approved for the We Energies rate case is a huge setback for Wisconsin in the area of clean energy development,” said Keith Reopelle, senior policy director for Clean Wisconsin, a statewide environmental advocacy group.

New York and California pass solar policies

The federal government may be dragging its feet when it comes to renewing or extending valuable US tax incentives for renewable energy projects, but states continue to adopt innovative policies.

The latest examples comes from New York, where the governor has signed a series of solar tax exemptions, and California, which is preparing to debate legislation that would help support development of community solar projects.

New York State Adopts Solar Tax Exemptions

In New York, Governor Cuomo approved a series of measures that will ease the tax burden for individuals and businesses investing in solar energy.