Dithering by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger may rob California of the opportunity to turn itself into the world鈥檚 leading producer of solar energy, ahead of entire countries that are currently leading the market.
To prevent a repeat of California鈥檚 2001 energy crisis, the state鈥檚 Environmental Protection Agency last week revealed its Million Solar Homes Initiative, aimed at ensuring that 50 per cent of new homes are powered by photovoltaic cells by 2020. The initiative calls for $1 billion investment over 10 years, funded by a small monthly charge to each household.
But a key California legislative committee voted against the proposal on 12 August, as some members withheld their votes, reportedly citing Schwarzenegger鈥檚 neutrality on the issue as a reason. California is already the world鈥檚 third-largest solar energy market, behind Japan and Germany. The new initiative could push the state ahead of both countries.
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