Memphis Light Gas And Water Division V Craft
Memphis Light Gas and Water Division (MLGW) is a utility company that provides electricity, natural gas, and water services to the city of Memphis, Tennessee. Recently, the company has been involved in a legal battle with Craft, a solar panel installation company, over net metering policies.
The Controversy
Net metering is a policy that allows customers with solar panels to sell back excess energy to the grid. In 2018, MLGW proposed changes to its net metering policies that would significantly reduce the amount customers could sell back to the grid. Craft, along with other solar companies, filed a lawsuit against MLGW, alleging that the changes were unfair and would harm their business.
The Legal Battle
The legal battle between MLGW and Craft has been ongoing since 2018. In August 2020, a judge ruled in favor of Craft, stating that MLGW's proposed changes to its net metering policies were "arbitrary and capricious." The judge also ordered MLGW to restore its previous net metering policies and to pay Craft's legal fees.
The Impact
The outcome of the legal battle between MLGW and Craft has significant implications for the future of solar panel installation in Memphis. The ruling ensures that customers with solar panels will continue to be able to sell back excess energy to the grid at fair rates. It also sends a message to utility companies across the country that they cannot make arbitrary changes to their net metering policies without consequences.
Conclusion
The legal battle between Memphis Light Gas and Water Division and Craft has been a contentious issue in the city of Memphis. However, the recent ruling in favor of Craft ensures that customers with solar panels will continue to be able to sell back excess energy to the grid at fair rates. This ruling has significant implications for the future of solar panel installation in Memphis and sends a message to utility companies across the country that they cannot make arbitrary changes to their net metering policies without consequences.