[Scpg] Help keep solar a viable alternative! Suport AB58

[HiDesigns at aol.com]

DON'T LET THE UTILITIES TURN OUT THE LIGHTS ON SOLAR ENERGY 


Dear Friend: 


As people who've been active in the environmental movement for a long time, 
we'd like to tell you about a critical vote the California legislature is 
about to take that will impact the future of solar energy in America. 


Last year, California passed a law, referred to as net metering, that lets 
large solar energy systems on factories, schools, offices and other big 
buildings receive credit for the electricity they give back to the electric 
grid. It has been a huge success, sparking a 1000% increase in the number of 
large solar energy systems in just one year and creating a model for the 
country. AB 58 by Assemblyman Fred Keeley (D - Boulder Creek) would extend 
this law past the end of this year, when it expires. 


But California's three big utilities - PG&E, Edison, and Sempra - have 
launched a stealth campaign to undermine it. They have amended the bill in a 
way that cuts in half the cred

it given for solar electricity.  If these utilities get their way, many 
people who would otherwise like to install solar panels will no longer be 
able to afford to. And California's solar power market, the most vibrant in 
the nation, will be devastated, with grave consequences for the environment. 


There is simply too much at stake for us to lose this fight. Nuclear power 
plants leave us radioactive waste that will last for thousands of years. 
Emissions from power plants that run off coal, oil and gas pollute the air we 
breathe and are the leading contributor to global warming. The best way to 
say no to these environmentally harmful sources is to say yes to clean 
alternatives like solar energy. 


The good news is that the price of solar energy has been falling as more 
people buy it - the cost drops by about 20% every time demand doubles. But 
since two thirds of America's market for solar panels is in California, our 
progress will be brought to a standstill if the 

utilities 

succeed. Companies that profit from pollution should not call the shots, 
especially when there is so much on the line. Please join us in speaking out 
today.  The California Legislature takes up AB 58 on Monday Aug. 12. 


There are two things you can do. First, you can join us in immediately 
contacting these key elected officials and letting them know that you support 
strong net metering laws. Tell them this is the time to give more incentives 
to solar energy, not fewer. 


Governor Gray Davis                                     (916) 445-2841

Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Fred Keeley                (916) 319-2027

Assemblymember Roderick Wright                          (916) 319-2048

State Senator Debra Bowen                               (916) 445-5953

State Senate President Pro Tem John Burton              (916) 445-1412

Speaker of the Assembly Herb Wesson                     (916) 319-2147


You can email them directly by going to www.votesolar.org.


Second, send this email along to family, friends, and colleagues so they too 
can send a message to decision makers. Together, we can help California and 
the rest of the nation plug into the sun. 


Thank you


Bonnie Raitt, Robert Redford 

Graham Nash & David Crosby