TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare a resolution of support for distributed solar electric power in Long Beach; and
Request City Manager to direct all Departments of the City to reduce unnecessary impediments to solar electric installation in Long Beach; and requests City Manager to report yearly to the City Council what has been done to encourage permit applications to consider installing solar in new construction and roof permits.
DISCUSSION
California's energy crisis is real, and requires cooperative effort of the part of cities, utilities, and residents. This required effort, has been recognized by the California legislature.
On August 21, 2006, the Governor signed SB1, the California Solar Initiative, to set a target of 3,000 megawatts of solar power to be installed on California homes and businesses by 2018. In September of 2004, the Governor signed AB2473, which requires cities and counties to issue building permits for solar installation unless there is a specific threat to public health and safety. And, on September 27, 2006, the Governor signed AB32, the first statewide effort in the United States to limit emissions from every major source of global warming pollution.
Distributed solar rooftop power is uniquely suited to meet daytime peak loads, produced where and when the power is needed. State funds and tax incentives also exist to assist in furthering solar power, but the majority of the money required for each rooftop solar installation comes from the owner. The local investment, job creation, environmental stewardship, marketing and branding impacts, and overall increase to Long Beach's economic vitality from clean solar technology could facilitate the largest regional economic engine in the 21st century.
Finally, it should be noted that the conference "Solar Power 2007" which is sponsored by the Solar Electric Power Association and Solar Power Energy Industries Association, will be held on September 24, 2007 at the Long ...
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