How valuable is rooftop solar?

Last week, Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) unveiled its new net energy metering concepts under the banner “Net Metering Modernization.” “Modernization” in this framework begs an important question: What does a modern grid look like?

The American energy system was designed in the 19th century to address the problem of transmitting energy over long distances from remote power plants to high-density population centers. This model worked well for a while, but centralized power no longer makes technical or economic sense.

Enter distributed energy. With the rapid growth of solar, storage, smart meters, and more, we no longer need to rely on a costly, centralized grid. Consider instead virtual power plants, which are networks of home- and business-based batteries, electric vehicles, and smart devices coordinated to provide power right in our own communities.

Through virtual power plants, utilities no longer need to rely on expensive, centralized power to meet peak demand. Instead, they can choose to work with their members who are making investments of their own. Not only does this model make more technical and economic sense, but it also builds trust between utilities, municipalities, and their constituents. A modern grid is a distributed grid.

As CSU continues to roll out its “modern” net metering proposals, I encourage Utility leadership and City Council to ask two key questions. First, has CSU considered consulting a third party to lead a public, transparent Value of Solar study? Second, how can Utilities collaborate with the community to achieve our local clean energy goals?

This decision is a critical moment for our local energy future. It deserves time, transparency, and, above all, data.

Matthew Schniper

Colorado Springs

Why two background checks?

If the goal of Colorado Senate Bill 25-003 is to force more citizens to take firearms safety training, then requiring a background check before taking the training defeats that purpose.  

After the person takes the mandatory training, they will still need to take a background check and have a three-day wait before receiving the firearm. The unfunded requirement to obtain a “permission slip” from the Sheriff is unnecessary. If the person takes the training and then fails, the background check, then Senator Tom Sullivan has achieved his goal of the firearms safety training. What is the logic of two background checks?  

Richard Gandolf

Colorado Springs

The real problem is immigration laws

The May 26th article by Marissa Ventrelli (Prosecutors call probe ‘political theater’) is missing the point on ICE and “sanctuary jurisdictions.” The May 25th article by Nick Smith (Colorado’s Jewish community rallies against ICE) is likewise misleading on the El Gamal family and ICE.

Both articles condemned ICE and refer to our immigration system as “broken” and “unjust.”

The real problem is that our immigration laws, which have been thoughtfully written by our elected officials in Washington, D.C., have never been fully and properly enforced.

There have been multiple amnesties over decades for one “special” group or one wave of migrants after another, with a promise that there would be even and judicious enforcement going forward. But that enforcement has never occurred.

When people become accustomed to special treatment and then are treated like the rest of society—under the same laws—it is upsetting to them.

Now we have an administration desiring to address this long-standing problem of misaligned immigration priorities and set things straight. I wish them every success.

President Donald Trump is following through on an electoral promise—a rare commodity in presidential politics.

Janice Taylor

Colorado Springs

Graduates and AI

I was surprised to hear college graduates were jeering and booing speakers at commencements who were discussing the future and jobs with AI. Most of these students grew up with devices in their hands and access to the world, which makes me, at 72 years of age, sit back in total amazement. What are they booing about? Did you want to work in construction as I did for 50 years?
Your job is in your hands. It will take all of you pushing as many buttons as you can to learn to control AI. The money surrounding AI is so vast that you won’t be chasing money; you will be chasing that control. Set up an investment account and let AI run it.

Then get busy and join those asking why we are going to Mars, how do we stop wars, how do we protect our information and prevent endless hacking. This will be your job. I find it hard to believe you didn’t see it coming.

Bill Miefkey

Colorado Springs