Report highlights 17 bad actors waging aggressive anti-solar campaigns

Media Contacts
Sam Gerard

Environment Ohio

Columbus, Ohio – With solar power on the rise around the country, a national network fossil fuel and utility-backed organizations have joined forces to put the brakes on this fast growing pollution-free energy resource.  Trade groups and think tanks backed by deep pocketed anti-clean energy ideologues and fossil interests are bankrolling campaigns, promoting model legislation and media campaigns to provide cover for anti-solar campaigns across the country like AEP’s attacks on the renewable energy standards in Ohio, said a new report released today by Environment Ohio Research & Policy Center. 

The report comes as Environment Ohio launches its “Stand Up for Solar” campaign to defend solar policies from groups like AEP and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) pushing anti-solar agendas.

“Pollution-free solar energy represents Ohio’s, and America’s most abundant energy resource” said Sam Gerard with Environment Ohio.  “For our climate and our environment, we can’t allow special interest forces in the fossil fuel industry to pull the plug on the bright potential of solar power.”  

The report, Blocking the Sun, documents 17 fossil fuel backed groups and electric utilities running some of the most aggressive campaigns to slow the growth of solar energy in 12 states, including legislation pushed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

Of the findings, the report documents how the Koch brothers have provided funding to the national fight against solar by funneling tens of millions of dollars through a network of opaque nonprofits; the ALEC provides utility and fossil fuel interests with access to state legislatures, and its anti-net metering policy resolution has inspired legislation in a set of states; utilities in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, West Virginia, California and Illinois have undertaken extensive campaigns to revoke renewable energy policy or impose new charges on their solar customers. 

In mid-2016, there were at least 84 ongoing policy actions in U.S. states that could impact the growth of solar energy, including through limitations to net metering or new charges to make rooftop solar power less economically viable.

Environment Ohio’s “Stand Up for Solar” campaign will keep fighting these efforts to roll back solar energy policy in Ohio by calling on Governor John Kasich to properly value solar energy and reject anti-solar proposals from utilities AEP and First Energy. 

The report urges state decision makers to recognize and resist utility and fossil fuel industry influence that seeks to undermine solar energy and to instead encourage the growth of solar. 

“Solar is finally catching on and providing tremendous benefits, reducing pollution, saving consumers and businesses money, and revitalizing local economies,”   said Gerard.  “Now, more than ever, states must lead the charge on a transition to solar power and renewable energy.”