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CA's Million Solar Roofs Bill Re-referred to Committee

September 6, 2005 | 3 Comments

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In what appears to be a last ditch effort to save SB-1 and at the same time save political face, members of the California assembly re-referred the solar bill to the Utilities and Commerce Committee for the wrangling over final language.

While supporters of the bill are still hopeful that the issues will be resolved and the bill will be voted on by Friday, it is also possible that SB1 will not re-emerge from the committee.

California lawmakers appear to be stuck in a high stakes game of political poker that could end up costing the solar industry dearly. While supporters of the bill are still hopeful that the issues will be resolved and the bill be voted on by Friday (September 9th is the last day of the legislative session and the deadline for passing the Million Solar Roofs bill), it is also possible that SB1 will not re-emerge from the committee.

The most controversial of the remaining issues are two labor provisions that were attached to the bill in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on August 25th. The first requires prevailing wages be paid on all commercial solar installations, while the second would eliminate half of all existing solar contractors by requiring only certified electricians do the bulk of the installations.

State labor unions are split over these two amendments with Laborers and Carpenters on one side, in opposition of the amendments, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and State Building Trades Council on the other, in favor of the amendments.

If SB1 does re-emerge for the Septebmer 9 vote, the bill will return to the Assembly Floor for a full vote and, if passed, will head to the Senate for concurrence before being put on the Governor's desk for his signature, his veto or, through inaction, to become law by default.

Solar Energy

3 Reader Comments

Comment
1 of 3

September 7, 2005

It's a shame we may lose the Million Solar Roofs bill due to petty politics and short-sighted labor amendments, but let's not lose sight of the fact that solar technology remains a key energy solution.

It is imperative for the state's energy stability and security that the solar industry be supported, nurtured, and embraced for the simple energy solution it provides.

This experience with SB1 also demonstrates that the industry needs better coordination, collaboration, and strategizing.

The 10th annual National Solar Homes Tour, on October 1st, will provide thousands of people a first-hand look at solar technology. Visit www.norcalsolar.org /tour for locations and details.

Each year we find the common question from our thousands of tour participants is "Why doesn't California already have a million solar roofs?

Eventually, we will, because we must.

Sincerely,
Liz M
President, NorCal Solar

Comment
2 of 3

kendall-jaye-38251

September 8, 2005

What on earth is going on in California anyways?
Pitting unions against one another ain't a unique ploy but California trades certainly seem to be up for the bait. The solar industry is also fast becoming the unwitting tool of an obvious political agenda to weaken the unions in California. Turning public opinion against organized labour may sound like paranoia, but, confrontation instead af conciliation makes labour appear to be the heavy in this severe setback to the whole RE industry. When is a rational intervention going to occur to bring some sanity to this situation.

Comment
3 of 3

corby-ferguson-35932

September 9, 2005

I know this is just a means of making jobs for solar industry. The Solar industry needs to be up and running as fast as possible. There are already 900 Nuclear Power plants Humanity is an embarrassment to itself.
Solar is safe and getting better every day.
A solar panel lasts 30 years? A good solar battery10 if you take care of it.
No excuse to build a nuclear power plant any more especially with all the alternatives. 100 miles oblitteration and forever radioactive illnesses for all Gods creatures is unfanthamable bad karma? . Well, we get to live in our own mess I guess. I don't eat fish? Have you had your thyroid checked lately? Are you getting bad dreams of nuclear bombs and how to escape the radioactive zone? It makes annorexia nervosa look like a peanut. We need a fund raiser for solar power. Hurricane Katrina is easy compaired to this stuff.

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