utility obfuscation and obstruction [RE-wrenches]
graham at solarexpert.com
graham at solarexpert.com
Tue May 21 16:13:42 PDT 2002
Bill and Wrenches,
Bill wrote:
>I am well aware of the problems at LADWP. They hosted a class that I
>>taught this week. The union is using the issue to leverage their new
>>contract so this is simply a pawn in a much larger political
>game-->isn't that fun.
This is fun if you like swordplay. I hope this sword hanging over my
head, ready to cut off at any time is eliminated. The solar issue is
most likely just a pinprick in the overall contract negotiations between
the LADWP and the IBEW. This will work its self out, hopefully sooner
than later.
As I mentioned in a previous posting, the PV industry in Los Angeles has
been stifled for the immediate time being. I do not feel comfortable
installing systems without notifying my customers that their new PV
installation will be locked out indefinitely. I have informed customers
of the present situation and jobs are inevitably put on hold. This
defeats the purpose of the rebates and incentives.
The LADWP incentives are in place to increase production economics of
scale. Production increases lead to lowering the overall cost of PV
resulting in a larger and more legitimate market. Economic benefits of
solar power are not fully realized and comprehended by the average
person. Solar when compared to all of the costs of fossil fuel power is
viable, especially when externalities of costs are considered. Our
government spends more money per barrel defending and protecting
overseas oil supplies than we pay as consumers. When the health effects
to our population and planet as a whole are figured into the equation
solar power is truly practical.
What our industry needs now is Standards. Standards need to apply to
individual products, systems and overall installation quality. Safety
and longevity must be paramount. Some may argue that inverters are the
Achilles heels of our industry at this time and if they dont measure up
the entire solar program fails. I think one weakness in our emerging
industry is a lack of organization. When organized labor such as the
IBEW becomes involved we need to respond in a unified fashion. We need
to establish what the unions goals are as well as our own. This is the
only way to make deals without giving up our goals. The unions want to
ensure public safety, and so do we. If we have a unified voice,
issues such as the one presently plaguing Los Angeles can be dealt with
more effectively and prevented from spreading like a systemic cancer
nationally.
It troubles me that my solar installations are on hold and the entity
bargaining with the IBEW with respect to future of solar installations
is a utility company, LADWP. The solar industry needs a powerful body
behind it. The press has recently been reporting that a wide majority
of Americans are in favor of a sizable increase of solar power being
utilized. We need signatures from millions of American voters on a
well-written document that confirms their commitment to a growing solar
industry, and a willingness to vote in favor of issues that affect our
industry. When the solar industry has this type of power our leverage
in negotiations and legislation will be strong and we can hold the
sword.
My 2 cents.
Graham
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