Environment California, the lead advocacy group in the effort
to bring more solar power through the Million Solar Roofs Initiative, and
representatives of other state environmental groups recognized Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger for his leadership in promoting solar power.
“The adoption of the California Solar Initiative, the nation’s
largest solar power program, was the direct result of the leadership and commitment
of Gov. Schwarzenegger to make California a world solar power leader,” said
Bernadette Del Chiaro, clean energy advocate for Environment California, a
nonprofit, nonpartisan, citizen-based environmental group.
Joining Environment California at a news event in the
governor’s office were representatives of the Sierra Club, NRDC and Environmental
Defense, as well as a dozen Environment California citizen outreach staff who
work to educate and mobilize California citizens on pressing environmental
issues.
In September 2003, gubernatorial candidate Arnold
Schwarzenegger promised to make solar power a pillar of his environmental
agenda. Several months later, Gov. Schwarzenegger reiterated that promise in
his first State-of-the-State address. On January 12, 2006, the governor ushered
through adoption of the nation’s largest solar program at the Public Utilities
Commission, creating a $3.2 billion solar program.
In a read statement, Bernadette Del Chiaro said, “Governor, you
made a promise to the people of California that you would make our state a
world leader in solar power. You have kept that promise and we want to thank
you.”
The California Solar Initiative will install 3,000 MW of
solar power, a 30-fold increase over today’s solar market. Environment
California estimates this market growth will cut the price of solar in half,
making it affordable without the help of subsidies. In addition, Environment California estimates
adding this much solar power will cut more than a million tons of air pollution
while bringing several times more jobs than fossil fuel power plants.
For more information on the California Solar Initiative and
next steps in the campaign to stop global warming and promote clean energy, go
to www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org.
