Changes to Net Metering Program impact green energy efforts of Saskatchewan hometowns

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) is concerned that changes to Saskatchewan’s net metering program will impact hometowns building resilience to climate change through alternative energy sources.

Saskatchewan’s net metering program will be reactivated on November 1. However, unlike the previous program, there will be no rebate for equipment or installation costs, and excess power will be credited at 7.5 cents per kilowatt hour, down from 14 cents per kilowatt hour.

“Saskatchewan hometowns have embraced a leadership role in adopting carbon reduction strategies, and this includes using alternative energy sources to power municipal facilities,” said SUMA President Gordon Barnhart. “By eliminating rebates for installation costs and reducing credits for excess power, municipalities will face higher costs for green energy infrastructure, limiting innovation.”

SUMA recognizes the costs incurred by Saskpower to maintain power infrastructure, and the need to balance the costs of that infrastructure across their customer base. However, the combined changes to rebates and excess power credits significantly increase the time required to recoup municipal investments in alternative energy projects. A reduction in the number of projects is a missed opportunity for clean energy that could help Saskpower meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

In 2018, SUMA developed a climate change policy advocating for provincial support of municipal climate change efforts. Visit www.suma.org to see a full list of hometown projects.