The California County Planning Directors Association (CCPDA)
released its Solar Energy Facility (SEF) Guidance Document and
SEF Model Streamlining Ordinance in February 2012.
Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments is a
comprehensive resource DOE created to assist local governments
and stakeholders in designing and implementing a strategic local
solar plan. This guide includes examples and models that have
been field-tested in cities and counties around the country. Many
of the examples are the direct result of DOE’s Solar America
Communities program.
Click here to download the document.
The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) offers
property owners the opportunity to finance energy efficient
property improvements through the property tax system. It is an
innovative new effort to improve energy efficiency, water
conservation and renewable energy generation, thereby reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
AB 811 authorizes all cities and counties in California to
designate areas within which property owners may finance
renewable generation and energy efficiency improvements through
low-interest loans that are repaid as an item on the property
owner’s property tax bill.
Increasing fuel prices and tightening budget constraints have
many local officials exploring a transition to fuel-efficient and
alternative-fuel vehicles. Using alternative-fuel vehicles is
also a key element of local agency efforts to reduce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions and combat climate change in their own
operations and throughout the community.
The Customer’s Guide to Solar Power Purchase Agreements: Solar
Power Without the Upfront Costs for Organizations and Businesses,
Rahus Institute, October 2008
The California Air Resources Board is developing a climate change program
for mobile sources that will reduce carbon emissions from
motor vehicles sold and operated in California.
Interested in learning more about lower carbon fuel vehicles? The
Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center operated by
the U.S. Department of Energy offers a wealth of information.
The California Center for Sustainable Energy provides energy
efficiency expertise, education and rebate program administration
in five critical areas: green building, education, renewables,
transportation and climate change.
DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables &
Efficiency) is a comprehensive source of information on state,
local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable
energy and energy efficiency.
The California Solar Initiative offers solar incentives to energy
users (except new homes) in investor-owned utility territories in
California. The CSI Program is administered by the California
Public Utilities Commission, and has a goal to install 1,940 MW
of new solar by 2017.
