Bureaucracy - I think it should be California Bureaucracy right now [RE-wren

[Matt Lafferty]

Wrenches:

Oh, Boy . . .!!!!  I would love to say "here it comes" but don't have the
time right now and appreciate that "not everybody cares", so I will do my
best to keep it short.  William makes a good point here.

William wrote:

> Although we sometimes disagree here, I see us as able to forge
> compromises and then present a united front to further this work we do.
>
> I'm currently having trouble with the CEC.  They arbitrarily disqualify
> timely applications for minor details, without giving the applicants any
> chance to dot whatever I was undotted.  They are unresponsive, ineficcient
> and downright inept.  They seem to trade in disincentives rather than
> incentives.  Do any California wrenches see any way we can unite and put
> some pressure on this ordination to get it together?  I'm tempted to put
> together a class action suit on behalf of several clients, even though I
> detest lawsuits.  Any ideas?

Bureaucracy is a fundamental obstacle to what we (grid-tied) must face on a
daily basis.

It is the single most significant factor in why I have 6 days left of
employment at SMUD.  (Please, if you have inquiries about this,
remember...."Not everybody cares" so, inquire off-list if you desire an
explanation....or "need the right guy for the job"....lol)

It is from the most intimate understanding of that the "B-Word" and its
existence that many of my philosophies and statements are from the
perspective they are.

Yes, to the "Any ideas?".  Yes, to the "I detest lawsuits".

Most importantly, as I hope you know about me, I realize that, only as a
unified front and by "knowing your enemies", can we overcome those
obstacles.  I further believe that a portion of our efforts need to be
"turned around".  Those we regard as "enemies" may not be enemies at
all....They may just be ignorant or all the relationships and needs
involved.

Remembering that bureaucracies and the people working for them have their
"hands tied" to a certain extent is part knowing them.  They may not be bad
people, or even bad agencies, just misguided.....I think this term has been
debated here before....

For the record:  There are groups and people trying to address these issues
on all our behalf as we speak.  Some of them are here, on-list, and they
have requested input in this forum.  I, personally speaking, have not seen
much response to their requests "on-list"....Perhaps those who care are
responding off-list and that may be appropriate.  I, personally, am one that
is participating, both with input (mostly off-list) and

Self-determination in a "democracy" sometimes comes down to "the squeaky
wheel getting the grease"....sometimes, more often that I would like, it
comes down to good ol' greenbacks.  I, for one, would rather be the squeaky
wheel.  (I have a kid with braces....lol)

Part of being effective is being unified.  We are all different,
individuals, and have our own "bones to pick".  Just for a moment
(figuratively speaking on the moment aspect), can't we drop the whining
(that's what it sounds like to a bureaucrat when somebody with $$$ and
influence is blowing in their other ear), get together, contribute a
positive set of concepts and ideas, priortitize the battles that truly need
fighting "right now" and fight them?

There are the issues of the current Net Metering Law not being protective
enough and including all of California's electrical ratepayers....How about
the one that almost nobody recognizes for what it means to the PV people,
SB-1078 and its reference to Public Works....Does anybody here even realize
what that means?  What the "Regular Solar Contractor" will have to do?  What
it will do to his/her business and the upcoming problems with buydowns.

Go research it.  You won't like it once you understand it.  To me, it is the
single biggest "hatchet in the back of our heads", to date.  It gets deep.
It's one of the reasons I invest regularly in my personal Lotto Retirement
Investment Fund.

I have copied the paragraph below for your viewing displeasure.  I will
prepare a "zip" file of my legislative related files, research and documents
for ready transfer to any California people interested....Reply off-list for
this, please.

(h) Construction, alteration, demolition, installation, and repair
work on an eligible renewable energy resource that receives
production incentives or supplemental energy payments pursuant to
Section 383.5, including, but not limited to, work performed to
qualify, receive, or maintain production incentives or supplemental
energy payments is "public works" for the purposes of Chapter 1
(commencing with Section 1720) of Part 7 of Division 2 of the Labor
Code.

This is one of many things that need correcting.  Don't dismiss this one.
It is BIG.  The CEC, PUC, CalSEIA, etc. don't even know how big, YET.  Talk
to me in six months if you think it is not!  Lawyers....Unions....Utilities!
"Small" guys are "out of the picture.  So, unfortunately, are their
Customers.  "Run for the Hills!" comes to mind.  If you've got balls, "Stay
and FIGHT!", not by complaining....by COORDINATING!

There are so many "nuances" and "relationships" that exist in the statutes
and guidelines that create hurdles for the "Burons" it may seem
insurmountable...Short of that orange piece of Lotto paper in my pocket
turning green, I will be fighting with all I have to "right the wrongs" that
I see.  Should it turn green, I'll be having the best tan you've ever seen
on a white guy.  Only problem with that is, if you're not already one of my
close friends, you'll never see me....LOL.  (I know...You don't care to,
anyway)

How about this one?  ABx2 48....

(d) The commission shall develop and adopt guidelines to provide
appropriate consumer protection under the grant program and to govern
other aspects of the grant program. <SNIP>

and.....

SEC. 4.  Section 9618 is added to the Unemployment Insurance Code,
to read:
   9618.  (a) The department shall administer a solar training
program.  The department shall coordinate with the Division of
Apprenticeship Standards and the State Contractors' License Board to
ensure solar energy product and service providers in California
possess and maintain the necessary skills, training, and
certification.
   (b) Elements of the training program shall include, but need not
be limited to, all of the following:
   (1) The science of photovoltaics and small scale solar thermal
technologies.
   (2) The design of solar systems.
   (3) The installation of solar systems.
   (4) Permitting of solar systems.
   (5) Safety.
   (6) System and component certification.
   (7) State and federal incentive programs.
  SEC. 5.  The Solar Training, Education, and Certification Act of
2001 shall be funded by available job training funds in existence on
the effective date of the act adding this section during the 2001-02
Second Extraordinary Session.

How the hell did they manage to bury this under the Unemployment Insureance
Code????  How many of us have read that?  You are against NABCEP?  Well,
what are you going to do?  Join the IBEW?  NECA/WECA?  Stop doing
grid-connected, buydown subsidized, inspected work altogether?When I tell
you that you better support somebody that is "Pro-PV"....I'm not kidding.
Go do the research.  It's a pain in the butt, especially if you are on a
dial-up connection, but, if you give a Rat's Hind End about PV in California
and the rest of the Country, you will.  I sincerely recommend playing the
Lotto....Just not today, since I already have the winning ticket and don't
want you to waste your money.  Try Wednesday's drawing.

Do you think that's all?  Not a chance!  I am trying to keep it short for
everybody's benefit, but I also want to spread some passion....Help to focus
it....Stop the bleeding....Make "this thing we call our lives" work.

Add the following links to your "Favorites".  Make a Favorites folder called
"Legislation" and save anything you come across in it.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html   The search option is very functional.
(Scroll down...below the check boxes)

Search by word, author, bill #, etc.  This is a good site, especially
considering that it is a State of California product.

Solar; Photovoltaics; Electricity; SBx2 48; Net Metering; SB 1078.....If you
want to go cross reference the stuff you find, go back to the original link
and check the box or boxes of the appropriate Code Section and go there.

Subscribe to all the relevant legislation you run across.  Save the adopted
and proposed bills and statutes to your hard drive (HTML is the fastest,
smallest format....it's one of the options).  Call, write, e-mail.

Most importantly, Get Pissed Off....Not Pissed On, anymore!  (Sorry,
Michael.  I really am spitting foam from the sides of my mouth right
now....)

I urge not using the "loose cannon" approach....If you have a question, ask
it here.  Don't "write checks with your mouth that your butt can't cash".

I really have to go now....I'm afraid the "4-letter words" I have to say
will be censored and none of this will get through....Have a great weekend,
ya'll!

Prayer answered....Fog Gone!  Sun's Out!

-Matt Lafferty
pvpro at attbi.com

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