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Politics & Government

Letter: Resident Says SoCal Edison Isn't Paying Its Solar Bill

One Sierra Madre resident writes to say that he's still awaiting payment for giving back to the grid.

Patch received the following letter from Sierra Madre resident, Southern California Edison customer and residential solar panel installation owner Richard Bertrand.

In the letter, which is addressed to the California Public Utilities Commission, Bertrand says that Edison has failed to pay monies owed to him in light of his negative balance, despite laws requiring the company do so.

Like many who have installed solar panels on their homes, Bertrand's equipment produces more power than his home needs during some, less energy use-intensive months.

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In fact, the amount produced over the course of one year has left him with a net negative balance, meaning Edison owes him money.

From the Edison website:

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Q3. Does SCE pay me money for excess energy I produce?

Answer: In accordance with Assembly Bill 920, signed into law on October 11, 2009, NEM customers are eligible to receive compensation for net surplus electricity in 2011. For more information, visit the AB920 page.

However, as he says in the below letter, Bertrand claims that he has yet to receive any payment.

Here is Bertrand's letter in its entirety:

To Whom It May Concern,

I installed a solar system two years ago.  The first year I my net bill was a  negative $37.51 – I generated more power than I used.  The law at that time provided an unbalanced situation – If I used more than I generated, I had to pay, if I generated more than I used, nobody paid me.  Last year the law changed.  My second year net bill was a negative $115.47 – I generated more power than I used.  See the attached. (Editor: Full attachment redacted pending approval from ratepayer.) Now the law provides a balanced situation, SCE owes me.  However SCE reports that the PUC has not provided a mechanism for SCE to pay me. So I remain unpaid. 

I realize that this is a very complex problem requiring many staff hours of research, committee meetings, surveys, presentations, more committee meetings, position papers, consultation with experts, hearings, etc.  After all, you are a government agency.  There is nothing to encourage effectiveness and efficiency other than the voters removing you from office.

Being a voting, taxpaying, citizen of this state, I thought I’d provide some hopefully useful and simple guidance.  If you would reach in your wallet, take out a piece of paper money, you’ll note in the upper left area of the bill it reads “This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.”  That’s a very efficient, convenient, and legal mechanism to pay the debt owed me - $115.47.  As the law requires, I accept cash.

I sincerely hope I’ve provided the clarity, guidance, leadership, and inspiration necessary to solve this most complex of social problems – how to pay a bill.  I know how excited government agencies get when us taxpayers don’t pay our bills.  Please expect nothing less regarding my excitement regarding a government agency standing in the way of a company paying its debts.

Sincerely,

Richard M. Bertrand

Sierra Madre, CA

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