CA Considers Taxing Solar Power Generation

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.

Comments

Re:This is ridiculous

[kevin lyda]

yes, blaming the government for the lobbying efforts of private industry is ridiculous. i couldn't agree more.

since the government is just the institutional expression of the will of the people it has whatever right the people see fit to give it.

since most americans appear to be clueless sheep, this means that the power companies (who wrote the initial legislation that privatised them) have a prime opportunity to get the government to do what they want. this is because most people in california/america: are too stupid, are too apathetic, are moronic privatisation-happy libertarians or they work for those power companies.

so i say congrats to the libertarians. they got their private industry. and it seems the private electrical companies are competing every way they can. power companies and their employees can use the governemnt to further their interests just like anyone else. if libertarians want to oppose that move and lobby their reps then they should do so. but *blaming* the government is just plain stupid.

unless of course you're actually blaming the pathetic excuse for an electorate that is the american electorate. then in that case, sure. blame away.