|
April 26, 2005 The Thoreau Center in San Francisco installed a PV system in 1998 as part of California's buydown program. The state's Million Solar Roofs Initiative under SB 1 would help put many more systems like this on buildings across the state. Photo: NREL |
"California has the opportunity to bring solar
energy into the mainstream and we should not miss it."
- Letter to the editor from six California mayors who support SB 1
With many of California's environmental and renewable energy groups working
feverishly in support of SB1, the Senate Energy Committee debated for nearly 3
hours with only six of the eleven total members going on record in the final
vote.
SB 1 is the largest solar energy legislation ever introduced in the United
States. It provides ten years of incentives to help Californians install one
million solar energy systems on homes and businesses by 2018, creating 3000
megawatts of new clean power - the equivalent of 60 peaking power plants - and
preventing the release of 50 million tons of greenhouse gases.
In voting to pass the bill, the committee expressed an interest that future
versions of SB1 include adequate system performance standards. The call for such
standards could eventually lead to a shift in determining how PV incentive
programs in California are funded. The next stop for the bill will likely be
either the Senate Appropriations Committee or the Senate Rules Committee.
Utilities were strong in their opposition to the SB1 legislation, with the
notable exception of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) who weighed in to
support this latest effort to make California the world's third major solar
"economy" following Germany and Japan.
Members of the legislature considered a similar bill, SB 199, last year, but
failed to reach a level of support and consensus among the majority of
California's lawmakers. This time around, SB 1 has been actively supported by
groups such as Americans for Solar Power (ASPv), the Vote Solar Initiative and
Environment California, among a long list of others.
An Op-ed piece submitted to the Oakland Tribune represented the support of six
California mayors.
"With this bill, California has the chance to lead the country in the
effort to bring clean energy into the mainstream," the letter stated.
"As mayors, we believe California's role should be to pioneer the
technologies of the future that will produce clean energy here at home. With our
energy and environmental future in the balance, this is a moment for visionary
leadership and cooperation. California has the opportunity to bring solar energy
into the mainstream and we should not miss it."
Democratic Sen. Kevin Murray authored and sponsored the bill. (For a complete
text of the bill with current amendments visit the links below this story.)
Please Note: RenewableEnergyAccess.com and Arizonaenergy.org do not endorse the sites behind these links. We offer them for your additional research. Following these links will open a new browser window.
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 - RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Please visit www.RenewableEnergyAccess.com for great coverage on energy today!!