Thoughts on Solar by Run on Sun's Founder & CEO, Jim Jenal

LA County continues to make progress toward implementing their AB 811/PACE program. The latest bi-monthly implementation report to the Board of Supervisors is here.  Some highlights from the report, after the break.

Some key milestones ahead, according to the report:

• February - announce awarding of federal and State Energy Program grants - seed money to fund administration and outreach
• March - file Resolution of Intention and other legal documents - including the draft administrative manual and customer forms
• 45 day public comment period –
  Once legal documents are released, public has 45 days to comment before Board action can occur
• April - Board approval of program and initiation of Validation legal proceedings
• June - Validation proceedings conclude, bonds are fully authorized as proposed
• July - Financing available for first customers

The County reports having met with the following Cities and Council of Governments (COGs) as part of its outreach efforts:

• San Gabriel Valley COG
• South Bay Cities COG
• Gateway Cities COG
• Westside Cities COG
• Las Virgenes-Malibu COG
• Los Angeles
• Long Beach
• Pasadena
• Burbank
• Santa Monica
• Palmdale
• Lancaster
• Santa Clarita

Grant support for AB 811 - the County has sought some $26 million in grant funding from the California Energy Commission.  According to the report, those awards are to be announced in February.  The County is also seeking some $30 million out of a statewide pool of some $75 million being sought from the federal government as an EECBG (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant).  We will report on the status of those awards - and their impact on the program - as soon as we learn more.