Utility raids CEC rebate funds for 5 MW solar project [RE-wrenches]

[Dean T. Newberry]

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Great Rant Matt.
I was Just talking with the Master Rantor on Energy, Dan Berman he wrote 
"Who Owns the Sun". We are ready to start the Public Power Research 
Institute a 501-C3
to provide a method to fund research and advocacy for real alternatives 
to investor owned utilities.  Tilting at windmills has always provided  
distraction from the pain of running a small contracting business in 
Calif' today,I will just try and do it better and with greater effect as 
I get older. 
cul deant

mlafferty at universalenergies.com wrote:

>FIRST AMMENDMENT DISCLAIMER:  THE ORIGINAL TEXT, CONTENT, INTENT,
>"INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS", AND RESPONSIBILITY THEREFORE ARE HEREBY
>RESERVED AND ACCEPTED BY MYSELF PERSONALLY, WITH PREJUDICE.... 
>
>(Bottom line: What follows is from me, by me, and in no way is intended
>to be construed as related to, on behalf of, or in affiliation with any
>organization or group I may or may not be associated with.... Just me...
>Nothing more...)
>
>All:
>
>First of all, I was one of a bunch of us at the CPUC hearing last
>Thursday.  About a dozen of us spoke on the record in opposition to this
>piece of BS.  I've spent many hours since (as have a couple others we
>know), digging in the mud for the facts and relationships "beneath the
>surface"... I'm not done with the issue yet, but will withold my
>"comments" regarding the "to-date" findings for a future time... Please
>understand the complexities and sensitivities involved here!
>(Personally, I can't wait to scream from the rooftops!  Biting my tongue
>is something I've had to learn, but still don't like to do!)
>
>The "project" in question is not technically being "installed" by a
>utility.  Nor is it purported to be "owned" by them.  It is a
>"green-power" purchase contract... At least that's the way it's being
>touted and "sold"... The premise is that the entity/entities involved
>will develop and maintain the facility while selling the power to SCE.
>Much appears to be amiss with this "project", but the "tracks" appear to
>be fairly well covered and not "on the surface" so far.  Preliminary
>2-Cents.
>
>Some suspected and perhaps related "fallout" is being witnessed today in
>SCE's territory by at least of couple of Wrenches that I've heard from.
>My suspicion is that this is directly tied to and timed to coincide with
>the CPUC's vote last week.
>
>Throw it out there, guys!  Did I correctly hear that SCE is notifying PV
>Contractors that "Your systems will be locked out for non-compliance
>with our new 'policy'?"  Hmmmm?  Is that the new policy that says, "SCE
>must receive a copy of a signed-off final building permit within 30 days
>of your application."????  
>
>Let me get this right... 
>
>You can't be approved for CEC Buydown Reservation funds until you've got
>an approved Interconnection Agreement form from the Utility (Right or
>Wrong????)
>
>The time period from Utility Application Submittal to "I've received the
>Agreement", assuming everything is "correct" on the application, is like
>at least two weeks (Right or Wrong????)
>
>The time period from Interconnection Agreement Receipt to CEC
>Reservation Confirmation Receipt is currently running in excess of 4
>months (Right or Wrong????)
>
>Any "reasonable person" (A valid and long-standing legal standard, by
>the way... Don't forget that for the future!  We may need to refer to
>it!) would not apply for a building permit until after receiving the CEC
>Reservation Confirmation (Right or Wrong????)
>
>A "reasonable person" would not order the equipment until after
>receiving the CEC Reservation Confirmation (Right or Wrong????)
>
>Building permits are taking anywhere from 15 minutes to 6 or 8 weeks to
>be issued (Right or Wrong????)
>
>Equipment lead-times vary.... For the sake of "being fair", let's assume
>this is only a "one-day" part of the process.... Fair enough?
>
>Legally, work cannot begin until the building permit is issued (Right or
>Wrong????)
>
>Installation takes from, oh, let's say they are all "slam-dunks" and are
>done in just one day....
>
>Inspection scheduling and actually having it done.... Let's even assume
>it happened on the day of installation.... Just to keep it in "benefit
>of the doubt" status for SCE.... Fair enough?
>
>OK.  The fastest reasonable time to expect being able to transmit a copy
>of the signed off building permit to SCE is, oh, let's say you fax it to
>them when you get home on the night of installation/inspection (this is
>AFTER the SCE personnel are in bed....) so it is waiting for them when
>they get to the office in the morning.
>
>Are you seeing a pattern here?
>
>Best-Case turn around, Application to Final Inspection, is like 4
>Months, 3 Weeks.... Give or take about two months... All this math is
>giving me a headache... 
>
>OK.  Back to the "5 MW" thingy....
>
>We've all smelled dead rats before... This one's alive!  Still a bad
>smell!
>
>Safety related question for the next round of CA NABCEP Certification
>Exams (Tongue in cheek here!):
>
>What is the best form of personnel protection from the hazard(s)
>associated with dealing with live rats in the process of getting a
>Grid-Connected PV System installed in California?
>
>A.  Gloves
>B.  Safety Footwear
>C.  Eye Protection
>D.  Full Body Condom
>E.  Winning Lotto Ticket
>
>(Correct answer is: E.  Winning Lotto Ticket. The benefits of Full Body
>Condoms are unsubstantiated at this time!)
>
>How in the heck is California going to meet the campaign promise of the
>new Governor to have 50% of new homes built in California after 2005
>include PV if the existing funds for that market segment are depleted
>and there is no backup or replacement funding in place?
>
>I believe, at least so far, that the basis for the secretive (On the
>surface it also appears to be illegal!!!!!) nature of the "procurement"
>process surrounding this "project" is multi-fold.... One of the most
>insidious suspicions of mine is that the "powers that be" figured that
>the best way to get the "Solar PV Flea Off Our Asses" was to go after
>the CEC Emerging Renewables funds because, at the time the "project" was
>being "dreamed up", the Self-Gen monies were expected to sunset at the
>end of 2003 so they would have that "flea" terminated without effort.
>Better to just "backdoor" some type of strongarm robbery a couple of
>streets over (at the CEC).... And, perhaps, just pull off some "help out
>your family and friends while you're at it" action.... What a way to
>retire!
>
>CPUC, CEC, DWR, SCE, IOU, CPA, State Helps Injurious Treason Agency,
>UNS, TEP, ETC, FERC, IBEW, BS-R-US, DMV (How did they get involved in
>this????  Just a joke, by the way.... I was sooooo hoping at least 1/2
>of my tripled vehicle license fee would go directly to the CEC buydown
>program.....)
>
>I suggest that the Governor have a REAL broom-sweeping party with those
>appointed officials that are charged with the duty of protecting the
>Public Interest at the regulated utility level....  The CPUC
>Commissioners...  (He didn't personally appoint them... You can thank
>the former resident of the Governor's chair for that... They are still
>his responsibility now!  Be sure you let him know that!
>
>I further contend that, pay attention here, all persons at any level
>involved with this entire "project" (public or private) that are found
>to be complicit with any action(s) found to be unethical, in conflict of
>interest, injurious to the public good, collusive, non-transparent,
>negligent to the public trust..... Basically anything I personally would
>find to be "not right".... Be prosecuted with a vengeance, yes, a
>retributory vengeance, and brought to trial for their actions and
>participation.
>
>Furthermore, once found guilty of crimes against the public, penalties
>and remuneration damages be awarded and collected from said individuals
>and their
>estates/trusts/spouses/offspring/friends/cronies/pets/neighbors/real-est
>ate agents/bankers/insurance agents/doctors/attorneys/kindergarten
>teachers/parents/school-bus drivers/prison-guards' union at large/former
>governor Davis/.... Well, I hope you get the point here... The monies
>should be directly and unequivocably placed in trust to effect the
>deployment of viable, DISTRIBUTED, renewable electric generation...
>
>While it may be "believed" that the "project" will be defeated at the
>CEC, don't hold your breath.  Just because it is in excess of the 30KW
>ceiling, doesn't mean that the squirrels won't somehow find a way to
>turn it into a nut they can chew on for a while.  Even if it is
>ultimately defeated, it has the potential to "hold-up" ALL disbursement
>activity over there on 9th St. once it is pushed over there for
>"consideration".... As if activity has even been observed in the last 5
>months!.... When will there be true accountability at the agency level
>in government?
>
>Where will it end?  Will it ever end?  Not until more than a few "public
>executions" are performed and "the fear of God and Cooperation" are
>instilled in all of the parties, I'm sure!  (Don't think you get a free
>pass just because you're "in Solar" if that ever happens!)
>
>Best advice if you're doing on-grid stuff in California.... Mind your
>P's and Q's...  Right now especially.  The "forces that be" are
>desperate and have a LOT more money, bankrupt or not, than we do!  FACT!
>We are and continue to be met at every front with obstruction and
>wrongful, ever-changing "rules" and "application" of them.  It is time
>that we adopt the opposition's tactics... Offensive instead of
>defensive... Bluff when necessary... Keep your "Aces up your
>sleeves".... Beat them with a stick when they don't accept your
>"carrots"!  Just be sure to have that stick handy!
>
>Fight like hell and take the time to keep us all posted in as close to
>real-time as you can!  More ammo needed!  The "line" isn't straight and
>it isn't continuous.  It is hard to follow and/or put together.  The
>"Money-Trail" is smelled by several, but not conclusively proven yet.  I
>believe we need to be and appear to be in solidarity... Less
>fractured... More cohesive... "Bigger than we have been so far"....
>
>We need facts!  Real-World Experiences... E-Mails, Faxes, Etc.  All of
>them!  No matter how seemingly insignificant... "Little" things often
>turn out to be more significant than one would expect on the surface
>when put into context and fully researched and divulged!  How do you
>think those "I can't believe they voted that way" verdicts are
>reached???
>
>Mere "gripes and complaints" without backup documentation don't further
>the cause.  Somebody has to consolidate the "stories" out there... Real
>proof...  Without it, "they" will continue to run right over us... 
>
>There isn't really a central "repository" to collect, conslidate and
>convey the message that I know of.  I know I don't have tons of time and
>resources to do this personally, but will volunteer to accept and
>maintain anything you guys are willing to send over.  If you have any
>"don't let my name out" or whatever kinds of things like that, just
>write/type it at the front.  If you choose to do so, anything you
>forward to me personally will be held in the strictest of
>confidentiality possible, if that helps.  
>
>I guess I look at it like, if we are serious about survival and
>sustainability then we need to realize that we need to be proactive and
>not just whine about stuff so we each need to contribute where we can to
>get there 'cause we sure as heck ain't there yet!   (I'm not writing a
>book on the topic or anything like that...At least not for a couple more
>years.... After I win that Lotto!)  
>
>We must get started... If not now, when?  After it's too late?  
>
>Meanwhile....
>
>Play the Lotto!  Play the Lotto!  PLAY THE LOTTO!
>
>Matt Lafferty
>Universal Energies Institute
>mlafferty at universalenergies.com
>(916) 422-9772
>(916) 628-7694 Cell
>(916) 914-2247 Fax
>www.universalenergies.com
>
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>

-- 

 
* Cooperative Community Energy* 	*Dean T. Newberry*

430 D Street, Davis CA, 95616
Tel: 530 758-6064
Fax: 530 758-3684
Email: deant at dcn.org
Web:  CCEnergy.com       
      Talbott Solar <http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/deant/>

Contr. Lic. # B-667908

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