Schwarzenegger may order a change in green energy rules

[Stephen Frank]

The Democrats want 1/3 of all energy in California to come from "renewable" energy by 2020--but not from other States.

The Governor wants 1/3 of all energy in California to come from "renewable" energy by 2020--but allows it from other States.

The only difference is where the energy comes from.

Both agree, if the energy is not available, close down the State. Of course, Arnold and most of the legislature will not be in office in 2020, so they will not be "responsible".

If you are an investor and the Governor signs the Executive Order, you have ten years to leave the State, more then enough time. Of course, the value of land, buildings and homes will collapse.

Is that the goal--to collapse the State, buy on the cheap, and change the laws, to make a financial killing?

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[ilbegone]

The difference between in state generation and out of state purchase has to do with power lines.

The far left wants electricity to be generated by roof top solar panels, which is a costly initial investment for the property owner, who is not paid by the utilities for extra capacity pumped into the grid, and will take far longer than the pipe dreamers think to effect. I believe it is to be partially financed with tax incentives, which means extra revenue drain on a tapped out state.

The right wants to have the expedient of cheaper power costs by facilities which are investor financed and investor owned yet are not subject to the strangle hold of California regulations. The far left is very opposed to construction of solar and wind generation facilities in the desert and obstructs construction of those facilities by every means.

The Investor owned facilities would on line much sooner that the roof top approach, perhaps by decades. However, it involves upgrading existing transmission and substation facilities and building new power lines, which the far left is also very opposed to and obstructs by every means.

The new and upgraded transmission (power lines) and substation facilities will ultimately be paid through the PUC approved rate base, regardless of whether they are utility or privately owned.

I believe they should just forget about the green energy thing for now and concentrate on what it takes to put people back to work so income taxes are being paid.

But I suppose that is a tad too pragmatic.