Solar Advocates Descend on Sempra at Protest
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) August 29, 2013 -- Local elected officials, environmentalists and activists gathered on the steps of Sempra Energy’s headquarters on Wednesday to protest Assembly Bill 327 (AB327), backed by California’s investor-owned utilities. The message delivered: the California Senate needs to amend AB 327, adding language to maintain the existing legal protections for solar homeowners, businesses and schools otherwise the bill must be killed.
“Assembly Bill 327 directly contradicts over 20 years of smart public policy support for renewable energy and distributed generation solar,” said Dianne Jacob, vice-chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, “It pulls the rug out from under homeowners, businesses, schools and municipalities that have responded to the call to conserve energy, produce energy and become more energy efficient.”
California, America’s top solar state, has over 150,000 solar power systems installed and the owners of these systems have collectively invested hundreds of millions of dollars in solar power. These clean energy producers range from homeowners, small businesses, schools and municipalities. Former California Assemblymember and Sierra Club San Diego chair, Lori Saldana, noted that AB 327 it its current state would increase greenhouse gas emissions and discourage energy efficient upgrades.
The collective group at the protest stated the way this bill is currently structured would completely change the economics of solar, financially hurting the entities who already went solar while discouraging anyone from going solar in the future. This legislation would also put jobs at stake for the 44,000 Californian’s employed in the solar industry, per the group.
"California's solar industry is about much more than saving money on utility bills, it’s about our future, it’s about creating a sustainable region for our children and grandchildren, it’s about reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and it’s about our new energy economy and the jobs we are creating each and every day while making the world a better place,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power, and founding board member of San Diego California Solar Industries Energy Association (CALSEIA), “It’s high time the utilities get with the program and accept the fact rooftop solar is here to stay. We aren’t going away and we will not allow our future to be derailed by bad policies like those proposed in AB327."
The group has launched a petition site (http://www.saveoursolar.com) which targets State Senators urging them to kill the bill unless it is amended.
Utilities argue rate reform is needed to address issues with the CARE low income assistance program which will result in less people enrolling and to reduce the costs paid by large residential ratepayers.
About Sierra Club
The purpose of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystem and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.
For more information about Sierra Club, San Diego visit http://sandiego.sierraclub.org.
About Sullivan Solar Power
Sullivan Solar Power is a turnkey solar system provider that delivers solar electric projects from concept to completion. The company has installed over 14,000,000 watts of solar power ranging from small-scale residential to large-scale commercial and municipal systems. Sullivan Solar Power is headquartered in San Diego, CA and owned and operated by Dan Sullivan. Sullivan Solar Power has a longstanding A-plus rating with the Better Business Bureau, with no complaints filed since the business began. The firm has been named one of the fastest growing energy companies in the nation by Inc. Magazine for three consecutive years and services all of Southern California. Regardless of project size and scope, Sullivan is committed to delivering the best products and the most qualified professionals to its customers. Visit http://www.sullivansolarpower.com for more information.
Tara Kelly, Sullivan Solar Power, http://www.sullivansolarpower.com, 858.271.7758 224, [email protected]
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