Coalition Delivers 130,000+ Signatures to CPUC In Support of California’s Successful Solar Net Metering Program

Labor, Consumer, Justice, Faith, Environmental, Business & Health Organizations Join Together to Save Solar Consumer Choice and Jobs

San Francisco – November 5, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Pushing wheelbarrows full of signed postcards and petitions from residents throughout the state, a diverse coalition of consumer, environmental, faith, public health, environmental justice, and business organizations gathered on the steps of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to deliver more than 130,000 signatures in support of net metering, a critical solar policy that gives the state’s energy consumers the opportunity to generate their own energy with solar power. This solar petition delivery marks the largest number of public comments ever recorded at the CPUC on any issue.

Rooftop solar is also making California a national leader in climate action and the clean energy economy. The utility proposals threaten the jobs of more than 54,000 people employed by the solar industry statewide, which is more than the state’s five largest utilities combined. These jobs are inherently local and create real opportunity for California workers to be part of a growing industry that is also making the world a better place.

“For too long, polluting utilities have advocated for new and expensive polluting power plants that sicken the most vulnerable people in California and contribute to climate change. At the same time, they’re attacking one of our best alternatives to dirty power plants: rooftop solar. We urge the CPUC to support rooftop solar and the cleaner air, healthier communities and more livable planet that come along with it,” said Evan Gillespie, Director with Sierra Club’s My Generation Campaign.

“Rooftop solar is critical to our transition to clean renewable energy in California. We need to protect rooftop solar, encouraging its adoption as the market continued to develop and making sure the benefits of solar are available to all California families,” said Lisa Altieri, organizer with the 350 Bay Area 100% Renewable Clean Energy Campaign.

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