Levine Measure to Expand the Use of Solar Power in California Clears State Assembly
SACRAMENTO - By a 55 to 12 vote, the California State Assembly today passed legislation by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) that would help finance the upfront costs for solar power and other energy efficiency improvements by authorizing cities to provide low interest loans to property owners with long-term repayments added to their annual property tax bills.
Assembly Bill 811 stipulates that homeowners and small businesses wishing to participate in the program would only be required to repay the cost of their project plus a small fee to administer the program. Under the bill, a city could provide funding for projects from a bond or a loan that would be repaid through voluntary fees on participating owners´ annual property tax bills.
This measure is vital for California´s energy future because solar power produces the most energy on the days of the year we most need electricity,” said Assemblymember Levine, who serves as Chair of the Assembly´s Utilities and Commerce Committee. “If we can place solar panels on more homes and businesses across the state we will dramatically reduce strain on the grid on the hottest days of the summer and reduce the price spikes in electricity associated with those hot days.
