Arkansas needs solar

Is there any doubt that solar power is an important part of Arkansas’ future? It is clean, cost-effective, and supports the local economy. Over the last few years, solar costs have declined so significantly that it is now cheaper to install solar to produce your own power than to buy it from the local monopoly power company. That is why solar jobs are now growing 17 times faster than the U.S. economy, and why solar installer is the fastest-growing occupation, according to the Department of Labor.

So it is with little surprise that I now see Arkansas’ big utilities clamoring to change the rules. Last month, they asked the Arkansas Public Service Commission, which regulates the utilities, to drastically reduce the compensation that owners of solar panels receive for the energy that they generate and feed back to the grid. This is a bad idea. Why must Arkansas always seek to stay at the back of the line?

Solar makes economic and environmental sense for Arkansas. More solar means cleaner air and more jobs. Solar saves ratepayers money, strengthens our electricity grid and helps promote the wise use of our natural resources. It is the future.

Our political leaders should focus on ways to promote clean power in Arkansas, not consider utility-backed proposals that will punish consumers and disrupt the growing solar-jobs sector. If they don’t, we should find new leaders who will send the clear message that Arkansas is open for solar.

AUDREY KEARNS Little Rock