TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to study the fees charged by the City when property owners install solar panels, and to report back to City Council within 45 days on the feasibility of lowering the fees to better encourage solar panel installation.
DISCUSSION
According to the Press-Telegram of June 29,2009, the Sierra Club has identified excessive municipal fees for the installing of solar panels as a major barrier to their use in Southern California cities. Although Long Beach was not among the most expensive cities named, our fees still significantly exceed those appropriate to encourage the installation of solar power.
Solar power has many benefits, both economic and environmental. It is a virtually emissions-free source of energy. It also saves residents and businesses money. Long Beach has ample sunshine and our working families will benefit from a reduction of utility costs over the long term. We should be a leader in the use of solar energy production, and our fees currently represent an obstacle to that goal.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Councilmember Robert Garcia, First District
Councilmember Patrick O'Donnell, Fourth District