Del Mar city councilmembers are making sure that their objections to SDG&E's proposed rate hike on its solar customers are heard. And, even though SDG&E announced the company was retreating from charging solar customers extra to help pay for energy costs, city officials want their opposition to be known.

In a draft letter to State Senators Christine Kehoe and Mark Wyland and Assemblyman Martin Garrick, the council is going on the record, saying the increase penalizes those who have turned to solar to light up their homes and essentially deters residents from making the investment.

The letter requests state legislators ask for cost analyses of the grid before any new charges are imposed. In addition, the council will request that legislators draft a new law that requires the California Public Utilities Commission to set solar rates, not utility companies. The rates, reads the letter, will make sure everyone pays their fair share.

Councilmembers will discuss the letter at a March 5 hearing,