LEGISLATION
The entire Solar Industry needs your help by calling, faxing and writing to your local State Senators and Assemblymen to urge them to support and vote for certain bills related to the energy-conserving industries including PV Solar Power. It is so important that you voice your freedom-given right to vote and to tell your elected officials how you want them to vote! Enter your Zip Code here to find your State Senators and Assemblyperson.
Currently, there are several important issues pending:
1) AB 920: the California Solar Surplus Act of 2009. If you owned a PV solar power system that generated more electricity than you used, and that surplus solar energy was sent to the grid for use by your neighbors, don't you think your utility should pay you for that electricity? We think so.
AB 920 (Huffman), the Solar Surplus Power bill, is inherently about creating fairness within California’s solar market and about spurring ever greater consumer interest in investing in solar power bringing with it important environmental and economic benefits to the state.
Thanks in large part to the support and vision of Governor Schwarzenegger and the California State Legislature, California is a world leader in developing and promoting solar power. Our Million Solar Roofs Initiative is one of the biggest and boldest solar initiatives in the world.
The road to a million solar roofs, however, is long. While the state saw tremendous growth in solar last year, California has to go from today's 50,000 solar roofs to 1,000,000 by 2016. To achieve this feat, California must remove all barriers for consumers wanting to invest in solar energy and more deeply penetrate the consumer driven market for solar power. Click here for sample letter/fax.
2) An amendment was just added to the Waxman Markey energy bill allowing states to adopt feed in tariffs. Inland Empire residents should call Congresswoman Bono Mack’s office and let her know you support this! Representative Bono Mack (202) 225-5330. Here's what to say: "Hi. This is [your name] from [your city, state]. I am calling to urge Representative (name) to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act. This bill will help create good jobs that can't be outsourced and increase our supply of clean, free energy. It will revitalize our economy and help solve the climate crisis. That's why, as a constituent, it is very important to me that my elected officials support the clean energy jobs plan. Thank you."
3) We need to call Representative Mike Thompson regarding proposed IRS changes that will benefit all solar and other energy-reducing technologies. Please download the PDF letter, sign and date it and mail it to the address on the top of the page. Also, please give copies to your family and friends and ask that they do the same thing maximizing the voice of reason and sanity regarding solar for consumers. (download letter here)
4) There is also a massive federal movement on clean energy with Congress wrapping climate policy, renewable energy targets, and transmission overhaul into one mammoth bill. That legislation, H.R. 2454 (Chairmen Waxman & Markey's energy bill) is now moving forward, but it's missing two key pieces that would help ensure solar plays a strong role in the mix. Do you have a moment to call your Representative to ask for a fix before the plan goes to its first House vote next week?
With its tremendous economic and environmental benefits, solar needs to be part our nation's new energy plan. Yet, recent analysis of the bill by the Department of Energy shows that it would do little to deploy solar.
Please call the capital switchboard at (202) 224-3121, and ask to be transferred to your House Representative. Here's the message:
"I am concerned that the current House energy bill does not include policies to support solar energy. I urge you to move us towards a diversified clean energy future by adding two important solar provisions:
• Please add a 20% distributed generation carve-out to the Renewable Electricity Standard; and,
• Please amend the climate change title to require that 10% of the pollution allowances be allocated to renewable energy projects."
It sounds wierd, but these two little changes will mean a world of difference in moving solar energy into the mainstream across the country. With this first vote looming in the Energy and Commerce Committee, time is of the essence! Our solar compatriots in Washington, who have been tirelessly knocking on doors urging legislators to add specific solar provisions to this huge bill, certainly appreciate your help. They've done good work, but as a constituent your voice can hit the message home.
H.R. 2454 Update
For more information on how you can help, go to VoteSolar.org.