Yes, the Utility Companies are more adept at competing through political favors, lobbyists plus they have almost unlimited funds to run smear campaigns against rivals. They have been around for 100 years and this is their turf. They are not going to go quietly.
I’m lucky in NY. Cuomo has offered incentives for the Utilities to work side by side with solar but others are worse off.
Nevada has turned against rooftop solar. From Wiki:
Gov.Sandoval came under criticism in 2015 by the rooftop solar industry in Nevada after claims that the Governor failed to act on a statewide net energy metering cap of 235MW. The cap stirred controversy due to its ability to negatively affect the future of the largely successful solar industry in Nevada, specifically related to the loss of thousands of in-state jobs.[32][33] A statewide study conducted by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada previously deemed net metering a benefit to all ratepayers.[34]
At the end of July 2015, NV Energy proposed new rates for rooftop solar users. NV Energy specifically states in its proposal that the new rates could eliminate all savings for solar customers.[35]
On August 20, 2015, the controversial 235 MW net metering cap was hit.[36] Immediately before the cap was hit, Vivint Solar pulled out of the state only two weeks after entering. This resulted in lay-offs of many recently hired Nevadans, signaling the future of the industry in Nevada without net metering.[37]
An October 2015 poll, sponsored by the solar industry, found that prior to learning about these controversies, public perception of Governor Sandoval's leadership was largely favorable, with 63% of likely voters agreeing that he has been a strong leader for Nevada. However, after learning that Governor Sandoval had failed to "take a leadership position and protect the 6,000 jobs that solar energy supports in Nevada" his favorable impressions became highly negative, with 54% of likely voters taking an unfavorable view.[38] A subsequent poll of likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire found that 56% of all likely Republican primary voters in a key swing state would not vote for Governor Sandoval for Vice President in 2016 upon learning that he failed to protect solar energy in Nevada.[39]
In December 2015, a solar company operating in Nevada filed a lawsuit against Governor Brian Sandoval to compel the release of public records the Governor's office withheld. The withheld public records included text messages between the Governor and his staff with NV Energy's lobbyists. The company claims that the public has the right to know the impact those relationships have had on critical policy decisions, including the rooftop solar debate.[40]
On December 22, 2015, Governor Sandoval's Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, composed of Chairman Paul Thomsen, Commissioner David Noble and Commissioner Alaina Burtenshaw, voted to eliminate the state's net metering policy for rooftop solar. The aftermath of the decision resulted in widespread layoffs in the state and an outpouring of consumer backlash due to the direct penalization of current and future solar customers.[
