Posted on 12/13/2005 5:25:39 PM PST by calcowgirl
For Immediate Release:
12/13/2005 For More Information:
Contact Bernadette Del Chiaro
(916) 446-8062 x 103
SAN FRANCISCO—The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) officially unveiled its version of the Million Solar Roofs program, called the California Solar Initiative, proposing an 11-year, $2.9 billion incentive program to install 3,000 MW of solar on a million homes, businesses, farms, schools and municipal buildings. The program, if approved in mid-January by the 5-member Public Utilities Commission, will be the nation’s largest solar power investment and the first-ever program designed to make solar power mainstream and affordable, without aid of subsidies, within a decade.
“With this program, California can finally get on track to becoming the world solar power leader,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, clean energy advocate for Environment California, a nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental advocacy group. “Given California’s abundant sunshine and growing economy, this program has the potential to make California the Saudi Arabia of solar power.”
The California Solar Initiative proposes a $2.9 billion pot of money without rate increases for most customers. The money would come from $350 million in existing funds already earmarked for solar power and an additional surcharge –1/8th a penny per kilowatt hour – or 60¢ on the average residential monthly electric bill over eleven years. According to the proposal, this additional surcharge will not impact rates because the Rate Reduction Bonds authorized during California’s electric restructuring law will expire in 2007 leaving “additional headroom in utility rates.”
According to a staff report prepared by the PUC last summer, this $2.9 billion investment in solar could save California ratepayers an estimated $10 billion from a reduced need to build two dozen peaking power plants or to purchase expensive electricity during peak summer hours.
“Given this high energy bills and the urgent need to reduce the state’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, this landmark solar initiative is exactly what California’s economy and environment need,” added Del Chiaro who’s organization has spent the past six months talking directly with more than 250,000 Californians about solar power. “Poll after poll show that these kinds of forward-thinking clean energy solutions are what the majority of California voters are demanding.”
Other benefits of investing in solar power include cleaner air and more jobs. For every solar roof, at least one ton of global warming pollution is reduced. In addition, for every megawatt of solar power installed, up to 7 jobs are created, a 7-fold increase over the number of jobs created from building the equivalent capacity in natural gas power plants.
Today’s proposal comes at the request of Governor Schwarzenegger and mirrors the bulk of the Governor-backed Million Solar Roofs bill (SB 1), which was also broadly support by the state Legislature. The other policy elements contained in SB 1, such as net metering and making solar panels a standard option on new homes, will require legislative approval in 2006 to support the California Solar Initiative unveiled by the PUC today.
“After three years of working to pass this kind of far reaching solar policy, this proposal is a breath of fresh air,” added Del Chiaro. “Now, California will mean business when it comes to making solar power mainstream and affordable for all.”
The PUC’s 11-year solar proposal is expected to be voted on by PUC in mid-January, after a 30 day public comment period initiated today. If adopted, the program is likely to go into effect by the start of 2007. In the meantime, this Thursday, December 15th, the PUC is expected to vote on the first stage of the California Solar Initiative, an interim program to triple the amount of money available in 2006 for solar on businesses and municipal buildings, from the current $50-100 million level to $300 million. In addition, $58 million remains available for homeowners and small businesses to invest in solar panels via the California Energy Commission’s rebate program in 2006.
MAJOR ELEMENTS OF PROPOSED CALIFORNIA SOLAR INITIATIVE
PUC’s California Solar Initiative Proposal 12/13/05 (PDF FILE)
Environment California is a non-profit, non-partisan state-based environmental organization supported by 77,000 members statewide. Environment California has been the leading environmental advocacy group supporting the Million Solar Roofs bill since 2003. For more information about our Million Solar Roofs campaign visit www.environmentcalifornia.org.
Hertzberg (D) represented residents of the San Fernando Valley in the California State Assembly from 1996 to 2002, and was unanimously elected by both Democrats and Republicans to serve as Speaker of the Assembly from 2000 to 2002.
During his time in the Assembly, Hertzberg's energetic and bipartisan approach to problem solving earned him widespread recognition and success in addressing some of California's toughest problems, including the economy, education, traffic and crime.
After leaving the state Assembly, Bob Hertzberg returned to the private sector, joining the law firm of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw. He also co-founded Solar Integrated Technologies, a startup firm located in South Los Angeles, developing the next generation of roofing materials to convert sunlight into environment-friendly power. And when Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor in an historic recall election, Hertzberg served as a key member of the governor-elect's transition team.
It would appear that the California Solar Initiative had a helping hand from at least one "uninterested" member of the Wilsonegger gang.
Good find.
It seems it may be related to the "Strategic Growth Plan" and the "Hydrogen Highway," as well. SIT is outfitting schools in San Diego with solar panels and touting solar as a source of hydrogen.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/louv/20050322-9999-lz1e22louv.html
Working with Los Angeles-based Solar Integrated Technologies, the district is reroofing 15 schools and three administrative buildings with a new kind of solar roofing material.
Unlike the propped-up, unsightly solar panels of the past, these modules are the roof. Solar Integrated Technologies will install 1 million square feet of these solar roofs free-of-charge and maintain them at no cost to the district for 20 years. The firm will also sell the energy that these roofs produce to the district at about half the cost now paid to SDG&E.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/08/31/BAGD0EFOII1.DTL
In the long run, said Jon Slangerup, chief executive officer of Solar Integrated Technologies, renewable electricity will be the preferred method for manufacturing hydrogen.
Bon Appetit
The Austrian may well be a popular, uncultured, political boob with stars in his eyes and need for fame in his sole, but the gang has a much bigger prize in mind. A big chunk of the electorate's wealth, channeled to them through the charisma of their hired gun.
There is one glaring flaw in my otherwise neat little package. Maria is neither starry eyed nor a boob nor unfamiliar with the wiles of politics. I address that inconsistancy by suggesting that the Schwarzenegger family is on commission, not just the jester.
There are many places to search for the prize.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1426333/posts?page=61#61
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1522422/posts?page=14#14
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.