09/28/2008 GAAS:675:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation Promoting Renewable Energy
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that he has signed AB 1451 by Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), AB 2466 by Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) and AB 2267 by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D-Sylmar). All of these bills continue to build on California's commitment to increase renewable energy use.
"As we strive to meet our long-term renewable energy and climate change goals, California is leading the way in harnessing resources and creating innovative projects to help us get there," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "By providing incentives for all Californians, we are promoting the growth of clean, renewable energy in our cities and on our farmlands. This legislation will benefit our state by creating jobs, protecting the environment and continuing to build a greener economy for all."
Renewing California's commitment to solar energy, AB 1451 will build on the state's solar power usage by continuing a property tax exclusion for projects that utilize solar panel energy and expanding the exclusion to builders-installed solar energy systems in new homes. The original property tax exclusion was passed by voters in 1980.
AB 2267 builds on California's green economy by requiring the California Public Utilities Commission to grant incentives to eligible California-technology manufacturers. This bill also requires the California Energy Commission to give priority to California-based companies when granting awards and will not only create jobs for hardworking Californians but will attract more clean-tech and green-tech companies to the state.
AB 2466 will increase energy efficiency and help protect the environment by authorizing local governments to receive a utility bill credit for surplus renewable electricity generated at one site against the electricity consumption at other sites.
In addition to the bills listed above, the Governor has also signed the following bills:
SB 1754 by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) authorizes the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority to enter into power purchase agreements with public and private entities for the purchase and sale of alternative source energy.
AB 2863 by Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) allows for purchase agreements in residential solar power generation and designates companies that sell solar electricity generated at the location where it is used as independent solar energy producers. This bill also establishes consumer protections including contract disclosures, a mandatory notice that is filed with the title of real property and price protections for residential renters.
AB 2768 by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Woodland Hills) maximizes the incentive for ratepayers to install solar energy systems. This bill gives solar energy customers the option to use time-variant pricing tariffs through the authority of the California Public Utilities Commission.
AB 2180 by Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) requires homeowners associations to respond to a request from a member to install a solar energy system within 60 days. If no action is taken within that timeline, the request will automatically go into effect. This timeline will ensure that application guidelines for both the California Solar Initiative and federal tax credits are met, and consumers are able to apply for the maximum amount of rebates.
AB 2804 by Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) requires the California Public Utilities Commission to grant extensions on the time frame after a school district or community college has applied for a rebate under the California Solar Initiative. The public utilities commission may grant a maximum of three 180-day extensions for a total of 540 days.
In August 2006, the Governor signed his Million Solar Roofs Plan into law. Now known as the California Solar Initiative, it will provide 3,000 megawatts of additional clean energy and reduce the output of greenhouse gases by three million tons, equivalent to taking one million cars off the road. The $2.9 billion incentive plan for homeowners and building owners who install solar electric systems will lead to one million solar roofs in California by the year 2018.
In January 2007, the New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) was announced as a component of the California Solar Initiative. The goals of the NSHP are to create a self-sustaining market for solar homes and gain builder commitment to install solar energy systems on new homes as a standard feature for the home buyer. A new home that qualifies for the New Solar Homes Partnership is at least 15 percent more efficient than the current building standards. The overall goal of the NSHP is to achieve 400 megawatts of new solar-produced electricity by the end of 2016. Currently, the NSHP has received applications representing over 5,600 new energy efficient solar homes.
