Solar Industry Statement on Southeast Energy Exchange Market Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today a group of utilities and energy companies operating in the Southeast advanced a filing that would create the Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM). The filing is currently with North and South Carolina utility commissions and will soon be sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). 

Following is a statement from Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):

“While we are still digesting the filing, the Southeast Energy Exchange Market proposal would benefit from a number of improvements. The proposal is missing critical details about renewable energy integration as well as a mechanism to prevent price fixing. Both issues will ultimately impact ratepayers and are a hallmark of monopoly utility power. 

“We support a competitive marketplace in the Southeast. Stakeholder input will be a critical part of this effort and we look forward to engaging with regulators to help improve this proposal and create more opportunities for competition.”

###

About SEIA®: 

The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 20% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is a national trade association building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Media Contact: 

Jen Bristol, SEIA’s Director of Communications, jbristol@seia.org, (202) 556-2886