Dane County will join mounting local government opposition to changes to solar power rates getting proposed by Madison Gas and Electric and Alliant Energy.
Under a measure passed by the County Board on Thursday night, county attorneys will oppose the two utility companies' application for a rate change before the Public Service Commission. The county now joins Madison and Middleton who also plan to oppose in the rate change request.
"This is a very sudden shift without a lot of information," Kathryn Kuntz, county energy and climate change director, said of the rate change on Thursday.
The county is a significant customer for MGE and has in the past year reached a goal of using 100% renewable energy to power county operations, Kuntz said. To ensure the county's goal of cutting its emission by 50% by 2030, it needs to maintain its current reliance on solar energy, according to the board's resolution introduced by Chair Patrick Miles, 34th District.
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Kuntz added it remains unclear how much the rate change will cost the county.
"Honestly so far we haven't seen enough math to really know how big of a deal it is," Kuntz said. "It seems like it's not insubstantial."
Under the new rules at the utility companies, new residential customers who sign up for the program after March 2024 would get paid back less than current residential customers get for unused energy. Instead of customers getting reimbursed monthly for the energy they don't use, they'd be reimbursed off of 15-minute increments through MGE and 60-minute increments through Alliant Energy.
Current residential customers and those who sign up before April 1 won't be affected by the rate change, MG&E said, and the company also proposes a $1,000 credit to customers who would receive the lower rate.
MG&E would pay around 7-1/2 cents per kilowatt for residential customers, which is far less than their current rate of 15 cents per kilowatt. That's the same rate paid to other, larger customers, an MG&E spokesperson said.
On its part, Alliant would pay customers 5 to 8 cents per kilowatt, which is lower than its current reimbursement of 13.5 cents.
The utilities are also proposing rate changes, according to the applications to the Public Service Commission. MG&E has proposed a rate hike of 3.75% in 2024 and 3.41% in 2025. Alliant's proposed hike would raise rates by 8.4% in 2024 and 5.4% in 2025.
"Like any customer we don't want to pay more if we don't have to," said Carlos Pabellon, corporation counsel for the county.
Pabellon noted that it doesn't happen often for the county to intervene in a rate change, adding that it last happened at the county in 2014.
[Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect corrections. Under the proposal, net metering would not be eliminated. The rate for new MG&E customers who sign up for the program after March 2024 would be 7 1/2 cents.]
5 smart strategies to lower your air conditioning bill this summer
1) Optimize your thermostat settings.
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A programmable smart thermostat can also help you track your cooling costs, reduce unnecessary energy usage, and adjust your settings when you’re away from home.
2) Use natural ventilation.
Maximizing natural ventilation is an effective and eco-friendly way to cool your home. During cool morning and evening hours, open your windows to let in a fresh breeze. Then, once temperatures rise during the middle of the day, close windows and doors to keep the indoor temperature low. Ceiling and window fans also use less energy than HVAC units while increasing air circulation to keep you cool and comfortable.
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If you can’t remember the last time you had your HVAC system serviced, you’re probably paying more than you need to in cooling costs. To optimize your HVAC, clean and replace any filters every few months, and schedule a professional maintenance visit once a year. An HVAC specialist can ensure your system has proper airflow and check for issues that make your air conditioner less efficient.
4) Increase insulation to block outside heat.
Upgrading your home’s attic or wall insulation can be costly, but keeping the heat out could be as simple as installing energy-efficient window treatments. Adding blinds, blackout curtains, or reflective film will block out sunlight during the hottest parts of the day and keep your home’s internal temperature cooler.
5) Skip the mid-day chores and cooking.
Modifying your routine could help you reduce your cooling costs. Instead of cooking lunch in the oven, opt for sandwiches or salads while the sun is up. You can also line dry clothing or wait until the evening to use your dryer. A few simple changes to your habits could add up to some fun-money savings for your summer vacation.