First Name: | Alex |
---|---|
Last Name: | Turek |
Email Address: | aturek@luskin.ucla.edu |
Affiliation | UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation |
Subject | GGRF Funding Gap for MOUs |
Comment |
In consulting with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the following gap in the Cap and Trade Investment Plan was communicated, as the public utility plans for the expansion of solar access to low-income customers and disadvantaged communities via proposed programs such as the Community Solar Program. The identified gap is targeted at multi-family housing for all income segments and community solar for all income segments with a special need to support adoption of disadvantaged community households. Currently California investor-owned utilities (IOUs) have access to resources unavailable to municipal utilities, allowing the IOUs to contribute more effectively towards efforts in reducing greenhouse gas. Separate from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the California Solar Initiative (CSI) began in January 2007, with a budget of $2,367 million dollars. The CSI is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and provides incentives for solar installations to customers of California’s three IOUs. Under this program, the CPUC established the Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes Program (SASH) and the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing Program (MASH), targeting incentives for low-income residents. However, these programs and funding are ONLY available to residents living in IOU territory. Municipal utilities require similar funding to provide relief for residents in their districts and to contribute equally to GHG reduction efforts. Less than 10% of Los Angeles residents are able to take advantage of current solar incentives. According to the US Census Bureau, less than 35% of residents in Los Angeles own their own homes and, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, only 22 to 27% of residential rooftops are suitable for hosting solar systems. This percentage drops significantly for low-income residents. In addition, the Cap-and-Trade Second Investment Plan highlights California’s goal of achieving Zero Net Energy for new residential construction by 2020. This goal becomes unfeasible when less than a quarter of residents can host rooftop solar. Directed by SB 535, CalEPA, through the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), identified Los Angeles as the most pollution-burdened and vulnerable region in all five methods of study in its California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool (CalEnviroScreen). Despite exhibiting the greatest need for restoration, the most burdened communities of Los Angeles are unable to access any funds specific for low-income renewable energy. To fulfill the vision of a renewable California, we recommend that a portion of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund be reserved for providing renewable energy to disadvantaged residents through community based solar programs. |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2015-08-31 11:53:19 |
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