SCHWARZENEGGER SIGNS ANOTHER LANDMARK SOLAR BILL
For Release: October 12, 2007 Contact: Bernadette Del Chiaro, 916-765-3224 x 103 Zur Veröffentlichung: 12. Oktober 2007 Kontakt: Bernadette Del Chiaro, 916-765-3224 x 103
AB 1470 Promotes Solar Water Heating, Cutting Natural Gas Demand and Global Warming Pollution
Sacramento ? Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed yet another landmark solar power bill today, The Solar Water Heating and Efficiency Act of 2007 (AB 1470), authored by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (Marin) and sponsored by Environment California. At a celebratory event at the CAL EPA headquarters, supporters of the bill touted its promise of creating a mainstream market for solar water heating technologies by offering $250 million in rebates for California consumers over the next ten years.
Asm. Huffman speaks at bill signing announcement event and Environment California's Bernadette Del Chiaro thanks Huffman for his outstanding leadership, as well as Gov. Schwarzengger for signing AB 1470. (more photos below)
?By signing this bill into law, Gov. Schwarzenegger is placing yet another solar power technology in the spotlight, harnessing for it California?s growing demand for renewable energy,? said Bernadette Del Chiaro, Clean Energy Advocate for Environment California. ?This bill is another way California can become a Saudi Arabia of the sun.?
The new law launches the nation?s largest solar water heating program and promises to bring a number of benefits to the state including reduced global warming pollution, stabilized energy prices and lower utility bills. A report by Environment California Research & Policy Center showed that a mainstream market for solar water heating could cut 6.8 million tons of global warming pollution per year, while cutting natural gas demand in each home by 50-75%.
?Solar power represents a significant energy resource for California,? said Assemblymember Jared Huffman (Marin), author of AB 1470. ?California can achieve greater energy independence, fight global warming, and save homeowners and businesses money by encouraging a mainstream market for solar water heating.?
AB 1470 is the follow up to the Million Solar Roofs bill (SB 1) signed into law by Schwarzenegger in 2006, which creates incentives for solar electric technologies. The rebate fund would come from a 13 cent per month surcharge on gas bills and would result in the installation of over 200,000 solar roofs. The program will be implemented by the California Public Utilities Commission and individual municipal utilities.
?Solar power can play a starring role in California?s effort to solve global warming by enabling homeowners and businesses to take concrete action right here, right now,? said Del Chiaro. ?Harnessing the sun is a no-brainer, and we applaud the Governor and the legislature for their vision and support of big, bold solar initiatives like this.?
CEC's BB Blevins was the event?s emcee
Asm Ruskin celebrates passage of AB 662, along with AB 1470 and other bills
NRDC's Victoria Rome speaks to benefits of energy efficiency and renewables
DTSC Director Maureen Gorsen speaks to need to save electricity and reduce toxics chemicals from lightbulbs
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