Solar Outreach Workshops: New Avenue for Los Angeles Residents to Voice Opinions on Solar Energy Policy by BradB from 1BOG

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is engaging the public in discussions about solar energy policy through public solar outreach workshops In the wake of the defeat of Measure B (a proposed city ordinance to install 400 megawatts of solar panels around LA), the City Council recommended that LADWP consult with the public about what people want in the way of solar. The input received during these workshops, scheduled throughout the month of September 2009, will be incorporated in a summary report prepared for the Board of Water and Power Commissioners.

The Vote Solar Initiative, a non profit organization and legislative lobbyist with the aim of bringing solar into the mainstream, has urged renewable energy advocates to express to LADWP what they want in terms of solar: “Tell LADWP that you want the opportunity for homes, schools, businesses and public agencies to go solar to reduce their electricity bills. That means full funding and follow-through of the California Solar Initiative rebate program.

LADWP’s share is 280 MW of incentives to help Los Angeles residents go solar. Vote Solar wants to ensure that LADWP does the most it can to bring solar into the renewable energy mix. In order to do this the public must make their voices heard and encourage LADWP to, as Vote Solar suggests, purchase wholesale solar generation of every stripe, including centralized solar thermal electric plants (a benefit of such plants is energy storage, something solar panels cannot do). The California Public Utilities Commission is developing a new market-based feed-in tariff program that could possibly provide a model.

To LA residents: Encourage LADWP to do the most with its incentives and invest in a variety of solar energy technologies.

To voice your opinions on solar, participate in the LADWP public workshops being held this month. There are three workshops that you can still attend, on the 26th, the 29th, and the 30th (Sign up at  http://www.ladwpsolarnews.com/workshops )

This is your chance to ensure that solar is available in your area!

If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact us!