Washington, DC --Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma), Wednesday led 15 of her California colleagues in requesting that the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) reconsider its proposal to impose a tax or “exit fee” on electricity generated from renewable sources of energy, like solar or small wind. The CPUC is expected to make its decision April 3.

In the letter to Mr. Michael Peevey, President of the CPUC, Rep. Woolsey requested that the organization reconsider the proposed “exit fee” and support a “final decision that is consistent with a policy of encouraging the use of distributed renewable energy generation systems.”

“Californians must not be penalized for embracing renewable energy sources,” said Rep. Woolsey. “Encouraging the use of renewables is the only responsible way to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to ensure energy independence. To recoup its revenue from the 2000 energy shortage, the California Public Utility Commission mustn’t tax Californians who use a responsible source of energy.”

According to a study by the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies, the proposed CPUC fee of 2.7 cents per kilowatt hour would increase costs to those who produce energy via solar by 22.5%.

“The answer to America’s energy needs is conservation and the increased use of renewable energy,” said Rep. Woolsey. “We must do all possible to encourage energy efficiency and develop renewable energy sources such as geothermal, wind, solar and biomass. We must develop energy alternatives to stop our dependence on dirty, exhaustible fossil fuels, and in that way we will provide a healthy, secure future for our children.”

“California’s state government has long been the unquestioned leader in encouraging renewable energy systems,” said Rep. Woolsey. “It is the right solution for California and I am introducing legislation that will encourage the use of renewable energy throughout the nation.”

Rep. Lynn Woolsey will reintroduce legislation early in the 108th Congress to establish a national energy plan that will promote the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures.