Opinion by Lee Rhoads Leesolarconsulting@gmail.com
Global warming is causing increased brush fires, more hurricanes, and may be adding to the state’s water shortage. What can we as Topanga residents do about it?
The Los Angeles Times article, “Little time left to save the planet,” April 9, 2022, states, “what is blocking the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy is not lack of technology, but politics!”
Los Angeles County passing added restrictions for solar installations is making it more difficult, not easier, to install solar on an individual’s roof. In fact, Edison has asked the Los Angeles Public Utilities for permission to pay less for extra power generated by a homeowner, which SCE sells to your neighbor. They are selling your power at the retail rate (27 cents a kilowatt hour) but would like to credit you at a wholesale rate (5 cents a kWh).
Utilities (SCE and DWP) have also asked the PUC to allow them to charge homeowners a monthly fee for having solar. This will surely be reduced dramatically, but it would help if concerned people wrote letters to their state and federal representatives to express that homeowners invested in their solar equipment to generate and store power, and Edison should not be discouraging solar with added fees.
Our president and Congress should immediately spur the adoption of solar, electric cars, heat pumps and battery storage while taking on coal and gas industries. There is an Energy Security and Independence Act being brought to congress which would “invest $100 billion to reinvigorate domestic clean energy.” This act can only pass with considerable pressure from the American people.
Along with encouraging more solar and storage incentives (there is still a tax credit and rebate for solar batteries), each of us should consider solar for ourselves, and the environment. The time to combat climate change is now. Make your concerns known:
Senator Diane Feinstein, 11111 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 915, Los Angeles, CA 90025 310-914-7300 office, 310-914-7318 fax
Congressman Henry Stern, 5016 N Parkway Calabasas, Suite 222, Calabasas, CA 91302 818-876-3352 local office, 916-651-4027 Sacramento office Los Angeles County 3rd district supervisor, Sheila Kuehl, Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 213-974-3333 office; 213-625-7360 fax; sheila@bos.lacounty.gov
