New Solar Homes Partnership Under Way in California January 3, 2007.
“CEC [California Energy Commission] will require builders to offer solar as a standard feature in new home developments of 50 or more beginning in 2011.”

California Kindles Green Energy December 26, 2006.
“Facing new regulations intended to limit greenhouse-gas emissions by the electricity industry, California utilities are using their clout as big power buyers to snub “dirty” resources outside the state and push forward development of renewable resources in and around California.
At a meeting next month, California utility regulators are expected to approve a measure that will prohibit utilities from entering into contracts to buy electricity from resources that emit substantial greenhouse gases, such as coal. The policy, believed a first among states, implements a new state law that takes aim at global warming. (See related article.)
Utilities in the state ...”

California sues carmakers over global warming September 20, 2006.
“California filed suit against the world’s largest carmakers on Wednesday, charging that greenhouse gases from their vehicles have cost the state millions of dollars.”

Pollution Bill Targets California Smog September 8, 2006.
“A bill to crank up penalties for the nation’s most polluted air regions — both in California — was introduced Thursday in the Senate by Congress’ biggest skeptic of global warming.”
[
BTW, reducing air pollution seems like a pretty good idea, anyhow, considering researchers have pinpointed specific mechanisms of how air pollution can cause damaged to the body’s blood vessels (ie heart disease); furthermore, “particularly damaging when coupled with a high-fat diet”. Also, some other researchers have noticed that “in-utero exposure to air pollutants is linked to delayed cognitive development”
See Air Pollution for more details.
]

State may give S.F. solar funds September 6, 2006.
“A bill passed by the state Assembly last week would allow The City to use millions from a 2001 bond measure for solar energy to build large-scale solar projects at locations such as reservoirs and parking garages. The governor has until Sept. 30 to sign the bill into law.”

Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Complete Million Solar Roofs Plan August 21, 2006.
“Concluding a two–year effort to help make California the nation’s leader in solar energy, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed SB 1 by Senator Kevin Murray (D–Los Angeles), putting the finishing touches on the Governor’s Million Solar Roofs Plan.”

Million Solar Roofs Bill Heads to the Governor’s Desk August 15, 2006.
“Should SB 1 become law, it, combined with the PUC’s California Solar Initiative, California will have created the largest solar program in the country aiming to build 3,000 MW of solar power — the equivalent of 6 large power plants — on homes, businesses, farms, and schools throughout the state.”

Sacramento, CA, USA: Million Solar Roofs Bill Heads for Governor’s Desk August 15, 2006.
“After two years, the Million Solar Roofs bill, Senate Bill 1 (Murray), passed the Senate Floor yesterday by a vote of 36 to 4, clearing the state legislature and heading to the governor’s desk for his up or down approval. SB 1 received overwhelming support today on the Senate Floor from both sides of the aisle with all twenty–five Democratic Senators voting in favor of the bill and eleven of the fifteen Republican Senators voting for the bill.”

Sacramento, CA, USA: Million Solar Roofs Bill Passes Senate Committee August 8, 2006.
“The Million Solar Roofs bill, SB 1 (Murray/Levine), passed the Senate Energy Committee this morning with a unanimous vote from all nine Democrats and Republicans present. The bill now moves to the Senate Floor for a final concurrence vote before heading to the governor’s desk.”

CPUC Releases New Draft Ruling on California Solar Initiative August 1, 2006.
“The California Public Utilities Commission released a 136-page draft ruling this week on the California Solar Initiative that takes many steps forward from the previous version and includes a number of recommendations from the various California solar industry representatives.”
Full Draft

Commission approved the California Solar Initiative January 12, 2006.
The California Public Utilities Commission is committed to solar resources for assuring the reliability of the state’s electricity system.
On Jan. 12, 2006, the Commission approved the California Solar Initiative, a comprehensive proposal that provides $2.8 billion in incentives toward solar development over 11 years. It also develops complementary policies and rules, sets new incentive levels, and addresses program administration. Appendix A to the proposal, a summary presentation and a one-page summary are also available.
On Dec. 15th the Commission approved an order that increased funding by $300 million for solar photovoltaic technologies that are currently part of the Self-Generation Incentive Program.
In June 2005 the PUC and the California Energy Commission issued a report titled, “Joint Staff Recommendations To Implement Governor Schwarzenegger’s One Million Solar Roofs Program”.

“It’s Official!” CPUC Approves $3.2 Billion Solar Program January 12, 2006.
Landmark Vote Creates Nation’s Largest Solar Roofs Program and Puts California on Pace to Become a World Solar Power Leader
SAN FRANCISCO–Today, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved the California Solar Initiative (CSI), committing a combined $3.2 billion in incentive funds to drive consumers toward solar power over the next 11 years. The CSI, modeled largely on the Million Solar Roofs bill that ran aground in the state Legislature last year, is designed to provide rebates for homeowners, businesses, farmers and government projects investing in rooftop solar. It aims to install 3,000 MW of solar power regaining California’s position as a world leader in solar energy.

The California Solar Initiative

A comprehensive proposal, the California Solar initiative was issued Dec. 13th for consideration on January 12, 2006. It would provide $2.8 billion of incentives toward solar development over 11 years. It also develops complementary policies and rules, sets new incentive levels, and addresses program administration.

CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION AUDIO WEBCASTS January 12, 2006.
Click on the link for the January 12, 2006 meeting to listen to testimony and passage of The California Solar Initiative. (The solar initiative part is the first hour of the recording.)

Spike in PG&E rates begins Sunday (January 1, 2006)