Page 10 - the NOISE September 2013

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NEwSbriefs
The proposal, available at edocket.azcc. gov (search number: E-01345A-13-0248), states:
Slowing the pace of DE installations will not jeopardize Arizona’s ability to achieve its en- ergy goals in the near term.
Currently, solar homeowners account for less than 2% of APS’ territory of 1.2 million customers, but their numbers skyrocketed 260% from 2011 to 2012.
Derek Turner of Flagstaff-based Roof- top Solar, believes the proposal could be potentially devastating. “Solar has become so affordable and net metering has encour- aged going solar. With the changes being proposed, it could kill the leasing program which accounts for a huge portion of people going solar.”
Under APS’ proposal, the Interconnection Agreement, which is grandfathering exist- ing solar and guarantees specific wholesale and retail rates, would not be on the table for new installation, and the proposal further works to negate its transference upon the sale of solar home.
The proposal states that “Net Metering allows customers installing rooftop solar to avoid paying for infrastructure.”
Said Greg Bernosky, APS Renewable Pro- gram Manager, “We want to fairly value the cost benefits that rooftop solar brings. We have an imbalance in how costs are collect- ed; we want an equitable model. We appreci- ate the value solar brings.”
Rooftop solar systems are micro power plants that APS can exploit for power pro- duction without any capital outlay and mini-
mal transmission system costs. And even while solar customers still pay to be grid-tied through fees assessed on each month’s bill, APS can sell excess production at a premium, which translates to additional profitability for its parent company, Pinnacle West, and its shareholders.
When asked if the value of the excess en- ergy sold to non-solar customers off-sets the costs associated with taking the energy onto the grid, Mr. Bernosky replied, “No. Infrastruc- ture costs still remain and excess generation is sent back onto the grid by housing this energy. These costs still remain and it doesn’t cover or exceed any value of excess energy sold to non-solar customers.”
Says Mr. Turner, of APS’ recent ad blitz: “They are setting up solar to be the bad guys, using more than they’re giving. The actual
value of electricity versus the value of using the grid and the cost of using the grid needs to be looked at unbiased and not sponsored by the utility companies.”
Peter Carlson of SolarWorks, a Cotton- wood based solar company, noted, “Channel
12 had an analyst calculate the costs associ- ated with solar at $18 a year, so the APS valu- ation of $1,000 a year is very high.”
Administrative law Judge Tina Jibilian will oversee the Commission’s ruling to en- sure it is in accord with code and established protocol. While the Commission is looking at the merits of APS’ proposal from a third- party research perspective, five-plus years of rapidsolarconstructionframesthequestion: Can APS show definitive costs of taking energy onto the grid?
New eNergy COde has flagstaff iN a fuNk
by Natasha reeves
nr236@nau.edu
Anticipation for the possibility of a new energy conservation code has been on the minds of many Flagstaff residents. City Coun- cil made a decision from three options, which were: to leave current building requirements in place for new homes (established in 2006), adopt 2009 international recommendations, or recognize the 2012 international standards.
It was an uphill battle to pass the 2009 version August 26. During the meeting’s first reading of the 2012 International Conserva- tion Code, Karla Brewster, Mark Woodson, Coral Evans, and Celia Barotz all voted to es- tablish the code while Mayor Jerry Nabours, Jeff Oravits and Scott Overton voted no. However, when the second reading came, Ms. Brewster changed her mind to vote for the 2006 energy code and Mr. Woodson changed his mind to vote for the 2009 code. Finally, all but Messrs. Nabours & Oravits joined to ratify the 2009 code.
Cost and control are the two main ele- ments of the new codes that have people in an uproar. The two newer energy codes in- volve higher standards for materials and tech- niques used to make a home stronger, safer, and more energy efficient. Yet these stan- dards are focused on new home construction, and some argue these new codes will force citizens to build a particular type of home.
The 2009 code is estimated to add $871 to
the cost of building a 2,400-ft2 home, which will add around $46 in annaul mortgage costs. Flagstaff isn’t the only city in debate over
the new energy codes. Prescott has put in place the new 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, and while many citizens of Prescott are in favor of the code, there are plenty who are not. One complaint about the 2012 conservation code is the fact that some of the standards are too general.
For example, every city is sorted into a cli- mate zone. Prescott is in climate zone 4, but so are Seattle, Washington and many other cities from very different areas in the United States, such as California and New York. Clear- ly none of these areas have the same climates, however with the 2012 energy code, dry and sunny Prescott will get some of the same standards as rainy Seattle. For the 2009 code, Flagstaff is in climate zone 5, this zone also in- cludes most of Nevada, parts of Oregon, most of Nebraska, and a lot of Pennsylvania.
While there have been many dissent- ing comments on the code, there are still plenty of supporters both from Prescott and Flagstaff. From saving money on utilities to creating safer homes, the 2009 and 2012 en- ergy codes do have benefits. The new code will enforce, for the first time, a builder hav- ing to test a building for construction quality and provide energy-efficiency results to the building department. The code also focuses on improving heating ventilation and air con- ditioning, estimated to save around $117 on electricity annually. In addition, under the new code, carbon monoxide detectors will be commonplace and increased insulation will be required.
10 • september 2013 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us