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CA Considers Taxing Solar Power Generation

Posted by timothy on from the corrupts-absolutely dept.

California is considering a proposal by the state Public Utilities Commission to charge an 'exit tax,' proportional to the amount of power you generate, on electricity generated by means such as solar panels for your own use. I would expect a state like California to try and encourage the adoption of alternative power sources, but this seems a really odd way of doing it. Two groups have started lobbying against this tax. If passed, it sets a precedent that many fear will lead to similar taxes outside CA.

1 of 107 comments (clear)

  1. Re:This is ridiculous by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Taxing water and land are different in that they are *limited*. My owning land precludes anyone else from owning that land, but my using sunlight doesn't take away from anyone else potential use. The sunlight was falling on my property so no one else could even get a chance to use it without my permission, and unlike water the sunlight can't "flow" onto someone else's land for their use.

    Air, for all purposes currently, is effectively unlimited. Would we even consider the idea of taxing breathing?