Subscribe to Local Clean Energy News and Alerts
We Beat Back Prop 16: The PG&E Power Grab

The Local Clean Energy Alliance is working with Communities United Against the Dirty Energy Prop to defeat Prop 23. Several years ago, California passed AB32: the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which is the strongest law in the nation for addressing global warming, reducing greenhouse gases, and expanding the clean energy economy.

State Attorney General Jerry Brown sued the federal government Wednesday, claiming that publicly regulated mortgage companies are breaking California laws by interfering with city programs that allow homeowners to finance energy retrofits through property taxes.

Last week, the Federal Housing Finance Agency issued a statement that effectively killed the pioneering programs that originated in Berkeley and were adopted by California and 21 other states - many of which were just getting started.

Opponents of a giant new fossil-fuel facility proposed for Hayward note that even the manufacturer won't stand behind the operator's low pollution estimates.

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/foes-of-hayward-power-plant-fight-back...

Dear colleagues

Just when we thought our lives could go back to normal after defeating PG&E's Prop 16, two Texas Oil companies spent millions to get the Dirty Energy Prop qualified for the November ballot. What are the lessons we can learn from our Prop 16 experience that can inform our efforts to stop the Dirty Energy Prop?

Please join us July 15 for a meeting on "Stopping the Dirty Energy Prop".

By TODD WOODY
Published: June 30, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO — The Obama administration is devoting $150 million in stimulus money for programs that help homeowners install solar panels and other energy improvements, which they pay for over time on their property tax bills.

At the same time, the two government-chartered agencies that buy and resell most home mortgages are threatening to derail the effort by warning that they might not accept loans for homes that take advantage of the special financing.

Saturday June 19, volunteer solar installers from around San Francisco will put solar panels on Espanola Jackson's church, Grace Tabernacle, located at 1121 Oakdale Avenue in Bayview-Hunters Point. A historic Juneteenth Celebration will take place from 1:00-3:00 p.m. with Live Music, Entertainment, Food, and the ceremonial turning on of dozens of solar panels installed by the community.

Come see how solar, wind, and energy efficiency can save money,
increase
indoor comfort, and reduce your home or business' carbon
footprint!

Saturday, June 26, 10am-3pm
Golden Gate Park Bandshell
(Music Concourse Drive, in front of the Academy of Sciences)

**Green Energy Exhibitors**
Learn about solar electricity, solar water heating, wind power
and building energy efficiency
improvements from experts and local companies. See products and
live demos!

**Solar Water Heating Tours**
Tour 3 local solar water heating installations by biodiesel bus
or on your own.

Speaking at the June 15 Board of Supervisors meeting, Sup. Ross Mirkarimi introduced a non-binding resolution calling on Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to refund ratepayers for the $46 million it spent on a failed bid to pass Proposition 16, a ballot initiative dubbed the “Taxpayer’s Right to Vote Act” that would have impeded the creation of municipal electricity programs.

PG&E lost a lot more than an election earlier this month when voters saw through the company's $46 million attempt to buy constitutional protection for its monopoly and rejected Proposition 16. The company also lost the confidence of many customers and lawmakers.
In response to PG&E's dishonest campaign, state Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, this week announced legislation to make it illegal for the utility to spend ratepayer money on political advocacy. The Legislature should quickly pass his proposal.