Lindl, Tim2019-09-252019-09-252010-10-31200900461121http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/175810"California’s over-the-fence rule prevents the distribution of excess power from a solar energy producer to more than two nearby properties or to any neighboring property that is not adjacent to the property where the electricity is generated. This investment-choking regulation stunts the growth of renewable and distributed electricity. The over-the-fence rule’s purpose is to protect utilities from competition, guard consumers from unfair practices, and promote grid reliability. However, each of these justifications is insufficient to warrant the existence of a rule that restricts investment in California’s distributed generation potential. The overthe- fence rule protects a regulatory consensus that no longer exists, is redundant in its prevention of consumer abuses, and makes grid reliability worse instead of better.California should ease the over-the-fence rule’s grip on electricity generators to a point that neither allows investor-owned utilities to escape regulation nor limits essential investments in distributed generation. " (p.1-2)engWith permission of the license/copyright holderclimate ethicsenergyEconomic ethicsEnvironmental ethicsTechnology ethicsResources ethicsArticle