Energy Security Act and public utilities: a yellow light for utility solar financing and marketing

In the Energy Security Act, Congress virtually repealed the federal prohibition against financing, supply, and installation by utilities of residential energy conservation measures and solar energy systems. The amendments open the way for the use of utility resources in the solar transition. Whether utilities will be permitted or required to finance, supply, and install conservation measures, either within or outside the Residential Energy Conservation Service (RCS) program, is up to state regulators, as well as the utilities. Congress provided safeguads against extension of the utility monopoly over the solar industry; utilities may supply and install only through independent contractors. State utility commissions and the Department of Energy will have to be diligent, however, in ensuring that utility programs comply with the act and do not harm competitors or consumers.