San Francisco Solar Energy Incentive Program Info

Dear solar supporters,

Last Wednesday, just when we thought we were crossing the finish line to gain approval for the solar rebate program, the Budget Committee of the Board of Supervisors chose to postpone a vote on the item for another week.
We had incredible turn-out from a diversity of San Franciscans in support of launching the solar program, and supportive public testimony went on two hours.

We were excited at last Wednesday’s meeting that Supervisor Mirkarimi committed to supporting this pilot being implemented– the required third vote on the committee to move the program forward.  He said he wanted a week to consider adding amendments to improve the program.

However, Supervisor Mirkarimi introduced substitute legislation that fundamentally changes the pilot program– by prohibiting general San Francisco residents and businesses from participating in the program.  It creates a one million dollar pilot program for solar rebates, but restricts these rebates to affordable housing developers, non-profits and low-income residents.  While we support targeted rebates for these groups, restricting the program to only these groups will mean that the rebate program will have limited effect expanding solar in San Francisco.

If Supervisor Mirkarimi’s legislation passes at the Board, it will effectively kill the promising wider pilot program that we have all worked on passing for the last several months.  Please contact Supervisor Mirkarimi and other Supervisors to ask him to fufill his commitment to move forward the pilot that’s been discussed for months– available to all San Franciscans.

He can be reached by email at and phone at:
ross.mirkarimi@sfgov.org, 554-7630

His staff member on this item is Rick Galbreath, can be reached at:
rick.galbreath@sfgov.org, 554-6783

It’s critical to make your voice heard by emailing and calling Supervisors on this important item, and testifying at Wednesday’s hearing (1PM in the Board Chambers of City Hall).  An agenda for that meeting can be found at:
http://www.sfgov.org/site/bdsupvrs_page.asp?id=29832.  A copy of Supervisor Mirkarimi’s proposed alternative legislation can be downloaded on that agenda.

Thank you again for your continued support and please contact me if you have any questions.

Alissa Pines
Policy Director
Office of Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting
City and County of San Francisco
phone: (415) 554-5231
fax: (415) 554-5553
alissa.pines@sfgov.org
http://www.sfgov.org/site/assessor_index.asp

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