Wednesday, February 4, 2009

A NOTE FROM COUNCILMAN GREIG SMITH ON THE L.A. SOLAR INITIATIVE

A NOTE FROM COUNCILMAN GREIG SMITH ON THE L.A. SOLAR INITIATIVE

First, let me start by letting you know that I strongly support solar power. In fact, I am one of only two Councilmembers who have solar systems on our own homes.
 
When the decision to place Measure B on the March ballot came before Council, the information presented to me was compelling enough to let the voters decide. 

Despite what you may have heard in the media, the vote to place this item on the ballot was NOT an endorsement of the measure.

Since the vote to place Measure B on the ballot, new information came to light about a report that was withheld from Councilmembers which included an undisclosed financial analysis. This report contained information that differed greatly from the information that was presented to the Council during deliberations.
Now, a third report has been released with yet another financial analysis of the program. 

I have since learned from recent media reports that though the items were rushed through Council approvals, aspects of the solar plan were the subject of meetings as far back as a year ago. I was not invited to participate in nor made aware that these meetings were taking place.

It has since come to light that information was withheld about the financial cost to the ratepayers of the solar initiative that would have changed my decision to put the initiative before voters because I am committed to holding DWP's feet to the fire about not coming back for any more rate increases. 

Ultimately, Los Angeles voters will decide the fate of Measure B. Now that I have copies of all of the reports and analysis, I wanted to make them available to you so that you can make your best informed decision.

Below are links to the following reports:

Original DWP Staff Report Presented to Rules & Elections Committee in Octpber 2008.
http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2008/08-2795_rpt_dwp_10-21-08.pdf

 

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____________________________________
Will Wright,  Director of Government & Public Affairs
American Institute of Architects / Los Angeles
3780 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 639-0777 phone | (213)639-0767 fax

ΓΌ Please consider the environment before printing this email.














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