Much to the chagrin of California’s three public utilities companies, residential solar is booming

By Roy L. Hales

Reprinted with permission from San Diego Loves Green; original published at http://www.sandiegolovesgreen.com/articles/energy/residential-solar-industry-booming/

January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--According to the Vote Solar Initiative, 1,400 megawatts (MW) of PV installations are now operating on the homes or businesses of 134,000 Californians. In a recent study, they conclude that, the benefits to ratepayers in SCE, PG&E, and SDG&E territories will be around  $92.2 million a year “by the time the state’s net metering program is fully subscribed at 5% of peak demand.” Two thirds of these installations are in low and median income neighbourhoods.

Prominent East County residents turn out in support

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2013 (San Diego) –In Marin County, 80% of utility customers now buy power from a local energy cooperative supported by their local government. Now a similar effort is making strides toward giving SDG&E customers an alternative option to purchase power from a  public utility backed by the City of San Diego.

 Elections have consequences---and Mayor Bob Filner has voiced strong support for creation of a San Diego Energy  District.  One of Mayor Filner’s first actions was to write a letter  of support for SDED’s plans to create a community choice aggregate (CCA) local energy district that aims to purchase power from locally produced clean and renewable resources, primarily rooftop and parking lot solar.

Last week,  a full house packed a meeting held by the San Diego Energy Foundation, the driving force behind the San Diego Energy District.   The Foundation recently received a $50,000 donation from the Protect Our Communities Foundation (an East County group that fought against Sunrise Powerlink) to conduct a feasibility study due out this summer. Leaders from other East County organizations were also among the attendees.

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2013 (Washington D.C. ) – In a press conference today President Barack Obama today urged Congress to raise the debt ceiling and made clear that his position is non-negotiable. (View video and read transcript.)

Republican House members have balked thus far. Speaker John Boehner said, "The American people do not support raising the debt ceiling without reducing government spending at the same time." (View full statement.)

The President called that position “irresponsible” and made clear that raising the debt ceiling does not increase spending, but instead authorizes the nation to pay its bills already incurred by Congress.  He likened House Republicans' stance to refusing to pay a restaurant bill after the food has been eaten, adding, “We are not a nation of deadbeats.”

January 14, 2013 (Tierrasanta) – San Diego Police officers responded to a call at 10700 Esmeraldas Drive in Tierrasasnta, where a witness reported a gunshot. After learning that the suspect owned multiple firearms, officers surrounded the house. Moments later, the suspect exit the rare of the home, armed with an assault-style rifle.

Officers ordered him several times to drop the weapon.  “Officers showed superior restraint as the suspect refused to comply,” said Sergeant E.J. Dayrit.  “Eventually the suspect turned the weapon upon himself and fired, in an attempt to kill himself.” The suspect inflicted wounds to his face and head area.

January 13, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for our region.  Strong and gusty north to northeasterly winds will develop over inland and coastal water areas Monday through Tuesday. Damaging winds gusts of 60 miles per hour or more will be possible through and below wind prone canyons and passes.

Frost and freeze warnings remain in effect for portions of the mountains and deserts tonight, though temperatures are expected to begin warming on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cal Fire and East County Magazine offer heating safety reminders for cold weather

January 13, 2013 (Pine Valley) – Firefighters battling a blaze at a mobilehome park in the 27500 block of Old Highway 80 in Pine Valley last night discovered a man’s body inside after extinguishing the blaze. Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson detectives have ruled out foul play.

Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler told ECM that investigators are looking at several potential causes, including the possibility that the victim may have perished due to an old or improperly used heating device in last night’s sub-freezing temperatures.

Here are important safety tips to stay warm  and safe during cold weather:

January 13, 2013 (La Mesa) -- Tradition holds that Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) ushers in the reflective season of Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 13th.  The United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM) will be celebrating that tradition on Sunday, February 10, 2013 with a Mardi Gras Sunday worship service. The public is invited to dress up (carnival masks and beads welcome!) and join in this service celebrating the joy of faith.  Music – from “Just a Closer Walk” to “When the Saints Go Marching In!” will highlight both the 8:30am (in Friendship Hall) and 10:00am (in the Sanctuary) services.

By David Smichowski

January 13, 2013 (San Diego)--Regarding the saga of the Filner foibles as per our Mayor's temperament in being a political leader: So our Mayor is again dusting it up in San Diego's local arena, this time with the City Attorney and fellow Democratic Councilman Todd Gloria. In philosophical parlance, the hysterical personality being those stigmatized souls overcome with emotion, are most often viewed as being associated with truth. Not to mention the so-called myth of control so hypocritically misunderstood in our society.  Mayor Filner's emotions with regard to governing our fine city ought to be judged in context to all of our moral and ethical contradictions.

Mr. Filner saved my home from foreclosure, saved my Father's VA pension, called me at home to offer help when he was in Congress and got me elected to the local Democratic County Committee.

January 12, 2012 (Jacumba) -- This week's winter storm brought an unusual treat for residents of Jacumba, elevation 2850: snow!  Danielle Cook took these photos outside Jacumba Hot Springs, where a light dusting of snow blanketed the area.  Don't rush out to visit, though -- it's already melting away in the mid-day sun.

E - The Environmental Magazine

Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

January 12, 2013 (San Diego)--Dear EarthTalk: What is the Living Building Challenge and how does it differ from the LEED certification program?                                                 -- Jason Marshall, Richmond, VA

Both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the Living Building Challenge (LBC) were created with the same goal in mind: to encourage more sustainability and resource conservation in architecture, design, construction and building operations. LEED, a program of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is well known in architecture, building and design circles as the standard for certifying the green attributes of new and retrofitted structures (and even entire neighborhoods).

January 12, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a warning of very cold nights with frost and freezing temperatures the next few mornings. Tonight through Tuesday, the warning includes areas west of the mountains as well as mountains, valleys and deserts. Temperatures may drop as low as 20 degrees in places.

Sensitive plants or crops may be damaged or killed if left unprotected.  Cover sensitive plants or bring inside if possible.  

January 11, 2013 (San Diego)--A 92-year-old woman died from influenza, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced Wednesday   It was the second death this flu season. The first was an 89-year-old woman who died Nov. 15. 

County health officials are encouraging everyone to be immunized to help protect themselves and their loved ones against the flu, especially now that influenza activity is increasing nationwide. A total of 143 cases were reported the week ending Jan. 5, a 77 percent increase from the prior week, when 81 cases were reported.

“There is nothing altruistic about this.” – Don Renard, Boulevard resident, on planned destruction of his rural community to create an energy corridor

“I don’t know of any community facing this many energy projects.” – Donna Tisdale, Chair, Boulevard Planning Group

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2013 (Boulevard)--Retired tugboat captain Don Renard worked hard all his life before purchasing a little piece of heaven in San Diego's rural East County.  He bought  a historic house, the former Ruby Store, once a stage coach stop in Boulevard.  He and his family have been working to restore it—in between savoring quiet times spent watching the hawks, owls and song birds among the old oak groves around their home. 

But there’s a squall of epic proportions on the horizon.  Soon, the Renard family’s home is slated to be surrounded by an industrial solar “farm”—on all four sides.  In every direction, 360 degrees, massive panels 30 feet high or so will track the sun.  Some will be just 300 feet from his doorstep.

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2013 (San Diego)-- Mayor Bob Filner today announced that he has asked the Neighborhood Code Compliance Department and the Police Department to temporarily halt all prosecutions of city zoning code violations when it comes to medical marijuana dispensaries  (letters attached), pending development of new regulations.

"As I made very clear during my campaign for Mayor, I support the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes and am committed to ensuring the people who legitimately need it for relief of pain are not kept from accessing it," Mayor Filner said. "I also want to assure the residents of San Diego that there will be the utmost safeguards surrounding these dispensaries.  They will not be near schools, playgrounds or any areas where children might gather.  Nor will they be allowed to infringe on the quality of life in any neighborhood."

January 10, 2013 (Alpine) -- Would you know how to respond if your child stopped breathing or if someone you love had a heart attack? Save-A-Heart will be conducting a CPR class at the Alpine Fitness Club, 1620 Alpine Blvd Suite 101 on Saturday Jan. 19^th from 9am to 11am.