Schwarzenegger to try again for Solar Incentives

Solar power is not economical yet, without help from the Government. Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to try again to get the legislature to increase incentives for switching to solar power. Plans will be announced Monday:

The plan, to be carried in legislation co-sponsored by Sen. John Campbell, R-Irvine, expands an earlier proposal that Schwarzenegger rolled out this summer but failed to get through the Legislature.

That plan would have raised $1 billion over 10 years through increased electricity bills for subsidies to homeowners who install solar panels. The current proposal expands to include businesses and may shift from cash subsidies to giving participants offsets on their electricity bills.

Though solar panels currently provide 0.3 of 1 percent of all energy generated in California, the stakes for Schwarzenegger's proposal are high because, according to environmental advocates, it will show whether he has the will and ability to enact major environmental proposals.

Of course, since the bill is being carried by a Republican, it faces an uphill battle...but maybe the pro-environment purpose of the bill will help it carry the day.