|
|
|
|
AB 811 of 2009 Helps Cities Meet Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
Assembly Bill 811 helps California municipalities accomplish the goals outlined by Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006Signed into law by California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on July 21, 2008. AB 811 was authored by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine. Contractual AssessmentsAB 811 authorizes all California cities and counties to designate areas within which willing property owners can enter into contractual assessments to finance installation of distributed renewable energy generation and/or energy efficiency improvements, that are permanently fixed to the property owner's residential, commercial, industrial, or other real property.Property Tax Payment PlanThe AB811 approved financing arrangements would allow property owners to finance renewable generation and energy efficiency improvements through low-interest loans that would be repaid as an item on the property owner's property tax bill. The contractual assessments could not be used to finance the purchase or installation of appliances that are not permanently fixed to the real property.Global Climate Change Benefits of AB 811The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 set out goals and methods for California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change. More than 30% of these emissions are attributed to buildings and the energy used in them. AB 811 was added to California's strategy to make it feasible and affordable for homeowners and building owners to adopt renewable energy alternatives and/or energy efficiency measures -- some of which can cost thousands of dollars in upfront costs.By making it feasible for city and county governments to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency upfits to buildings, the amount of greenhouse gases can be reduced more rapidly. This program could also spur the growth of the green companies that provide the equipment and installation and maintenance of these upfits. California cities and counties can now:
To take advantage of these AB 811 empowerments, cities and counties need to adopt ordinances that comply with the statewide AB 811 regulation. Then residents can apply for the local funding made available at the local level through bonds and other funding methods. Each municipality can tailor the AB 811 program to meet their needs.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ABOUT CALIFORNIA GREEN SOLUTIONS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
