Questioning the motive of those opposing Tom Boettcher

Two recent letters to the Wakefield Item Forum falsely claimed that Wakefield residents with solar generators are overpaid for the excess power they generate. The most recent letter, from Barbara Franson, stated that "solar owners ... receive three times the normal electric rate" for their solar energy. Her claim is simply not true.

The fact is that residential solar generators are paid the same price that WMGLD pays to other electricity suppliers. As any resident can see by looking at her or his bill, the current charge is 11.8 cents/kwh, which is what WMGLD pays for all its electricity (I understand this is the average overall price). It is also the price paid for residential solar power. Anyone who claims that residential solar generators are paid a rate three times as much got their information from someone not telling the truth. Why mislead the public so close to the Town election?

In my opinion, if anyone wants to generate solar power on their roof, they should be free to do so. We live in a free country, after all. If a resident’s solar generators produce more energy than needed, the excess energy should be, and is, sold to WMGLD for the same market rate that WMGLD pays for electricity. Residents with solar generators add no extra cost to ratepayers. In addition, solar power is better for the environment than the gas-powered energy we would be buying otherwise.

If we can produce cleaner energy for the same price, it's a win for everyone. I support Tom Boettcher's decision to install solar panels, and I urge all voters to join me in voting for Tom Boettcher for Gas and Light Commissioner.