Cities for Solar

WHEREAS, the City/Town of [City/Town Name], located within the beautiful state of West Virginia, recognizes the importance of promoting clean, renewable energy sources for the benefit of its residents and future generations; and

WHEREAS, the State of West Virginia is blessed with abundant sunlight and solar energy potential, making it an ideal location for harnessing solar power; and

WHEREAS, the State of West Virginia has a long and proud history of energy generation, and is poised to continue being a national leader in energy production and further its path toward local energy independence through the growth of solar energy; and

WHEREAS, the City/Town of [City/Town Name] acknowledges the impactful economic benefits associated with the growth of the solar energy industry, including job creation, increased tax revenues, and economic development opportunities for local businesses; and

WHEREAS, the City/Town of [City/Town Name] acknowledges the significant electricity rate increases that have impacted its residents over the last several decades, where utility rates have doubled since 2005, while solar energy costs have been cut by more than half; and

WHEREAS, the City/Town of [City/Town Name] recognizes that solar energy systems are the only way residents and businesses can avoid rate increases and save money on costly electric bills; and 

WHEREAS, the City/Town of [City/Town Name] understands that solar energy doesn’t only benefit solar produces but also helps the entire state avoid rate increases due to costly transmission and distribution upgrades, and contribute to the resilience of our energy infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, FirstEnergy, a prominent out-of-state utility company operating in our region, has proposed a reduction in the value of solar for solar energy producers, aiming to decrease the net metering credit from the retail rate to the wholesale rate, which may discourage residents and businesses from investing in solar energy systems;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City/Town Council of [City/Town Name] as follows:

Section 1: Support for Solar Energy

The City/Town of [City/Town Name] affirms its commitment to promoting and supporting solar energy as a clean and sustainable energy source, recognizing the following benefits:

1. Economic Benefits: The solar energy industry contributes to job creation, increased tax revenues, and economic development opportunities for our community.
2. Local Energy Independence: Solar energy empowers residents and businesses to generate their own electricity, reducing reliance on out-of-state energy and enhancing energy resilience.
3. Energy Savings: Solar energy allows residents to avoid rising energy costs while reducing the need for costly energy infrastructure.

Section 2: Opposition to FirstEnergy's Proposal

The City/Town of [City/Town Name] opposes FirstEnergy's proposal to decrease the value of solar for solar energy producers to the wholesale rate from the retail rate. We believe that such a reduction may hinder the growth of solar energy adoption in our community and hinder the realization of its benefits.

Section 3: Advocacy

The City/Town of [City/Town Name] will actively engage with relevant stakeholders, including state regulatory bodies, lawmakers, and the public, to voice our support for fair and reasonable net metering policies that encourage the continued growth of solar energy and provide adequate compensation to solar energy producers.

Section 4: Transmission of Resolution

A copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to FirstEnergy, the West Virginia Public Service Commission, local representatives, and other relevant entities to convey the City/Town of [City/Town Name]'s position on this matter.

Section 5: Implementation

This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City/Town Council of [City/Town Name].

ADOPTED this [Date] day of [Month], [Year].

______________________________

[Mayor's Name], Mayor

City/Town of [City/Town Name]

ATTEST:

______________________________

[Clerk's Name], City/Town Clerk

City/Town of [City/Town Name]

[Seal of the City/Town]