Los Angeles Mayoral Candidates Oppose Measure B
Measure B has become a lively issue in the country’s solar power arena as Los Angeles, one of the largest cities in the U.S., spotlights the topic.
In a recent Los Angeles Times article, eight of the ten mayoral contestants in the March 3 primary describe their stances on Measure B, a solar energy measure that proposes putting photovoltaic cells on roofs and parking lots across Los Angeles.
L.A. Times writer William Nottingham poses the questions, “Should the City of Los Angeles become a national leader in the generation of renewable solar energy, as a March 3 ballot measure proposes? Or would it be too costly to put 400 megawatts’ worth of photovoltaic cells on roofs and parking lots across town?”
In the article, eight contestants are quoted, with brief excerpts of their responses to these questions: “Do you support Measure B, the city’s proposed solar power initiative? Why? How do you believe it will affect Department of Water and Power rates?”
Salient comments from the excerpts are as follows:
Carlos Alvarez: “Our city is choking on traffic and smog. Increasing the use of solar power is central to this. But Measure B takes the unfortunate step of forcing working taxpayers to pay for it, in part, through a bond. A bond measure is like a flat tax, which treats the super-rich and the poor as if they are somehow equal. Because of this, I do not support it.”
James Harris: “My campaign does not support Measure B.”
David R. Hernandez: “The idea of solar energy is exciting and is already being demonstrated to be worthwhile. LAUSD as well as the Community College District have and are in the process of installing solar panels at their facilities. All without Measure B. … I am opposed to it…”
Phil Jennerjahn: “Absolutely not. Measure B is almost organized crime by the mayor and the IBEW [International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the union for Department of Water and Power employees who would install the solar panels]. The issuing of a $3.6-billion solar energy contract with no open bidding or free market competition is certain to skyrocket the eventual cost.”
Walter Moore: “I oppose Measure B. . . . It is little more than a vague plan to come up with a plan. Measure B, moreover, would unjustifiably give the DWP a monopoly or near-monopoly over solar power. I would prefer to see local businesses compete with one another to provide the best possible service and lowest prices to consumers.”
Craig Rubin: “The measure is flawed because it calls for a contract that is dependent on federal assistance and doesn’t have open bidding for different unions.”
David “Zuma Dogg” Saltsburg: “Not only do I not support Measure B, if I have one message to get across to voters this election season, it is please vote ‘No’ on Measure B. The measure was rushed onto the ballot without much discussion or input. It will drive up the cost of DWP rates.”
(Current Mayor of the City of Los Angeles) Antonio Villaraigosa: “Measure B is the first installment of a solar plan that will provide the City of Los Angeles with 400 megawatts of in-basin solar power by 2014. Ultimately this comprehensive plan will provide 1,200 megawatts of solar energy by 2020 — making Los Angeles the solar capital of the world. Measure B will create thousands of good, middle-class jobs in solar installation and maintenance. It establishes a job-training and outreach academy focusing on job creation in underserved neighborhoods throughout L.A. . . . Measure B also contains strong accountability provisions including annual audits by the city controller and a citizens’ oversight committee to ensure that this program is developed and implemented in an efficient and transparent manner.”
Candidate responses appear in full at Election Central.
Photo credit: L.A. Times
Posted on February 26th in Solar News by Euphrasia.