McNerney introduces $300 million solar technology legislation to give grants to state and local governments

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, March 13, 2013, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) introduced the Solar Energy Deployment Act of 2013 to provide funding for state and local governments to install solar energy systems on rooftops and above parking structures.

We need to be focused on working towards a clean energy future. By making funding available for solar energy, we can save money throughout California,” said Rep. McNerney.

The Solar Energy Deployment Act allows the U.S. Secretary of Energy to award competitive grants to state and local governments for installing solar equipment on rooftops and above parking structures. Recipients of the funds could design and install solar energy systems over other structures they own.

The secretary would have the authority to take into consideration several factors in deciding who would receive the grants, including:

– Speed with which solar systems can be deployed

– Total amount of solar energy deployed

– The financial need of the state or local government

– The use of best practices to ensure maximum efficiency of deployed systems

– Whether or not the materials to be used are manufactured in the U.S. and whether their components are manufactured in the U.S.

In today’s economy, the green energy sector has been a consistent jobs creator. Applying American ingenuity to our environmental and economic challenges will result in cost savings for all Californians. Solar initiatives will save California in electrical costs and put people to work building solar systems.  Putting emphasis on American-manufactured products will create family wage jobs that are so critical to stabilizing our economy,” said Rep. McNerney.

When asked from where the funding would come to pay for the legislation, McNerney’s Deputy Chief of Staff Lauren Smith stated “It remains to be determined, as nothing gets funded until the bill passes and is signed into law, and it would then be up to the appropriators to determine exactly where the money would come from.”

Then in response to why McNerney believes it is the responsibility of the federal government to fund state and local programs, such as this, she responded, “the Congressman sees value in the federal government partnering with state and local folks on initiatives like these that improve the community, create local jobs, and grow the economy.”

McNerney represents most of Antioch, as part of the 9th Congressional District in the House of Representatives.


One Comment to “ McNerney introduces $300 million solar technology legislation to give grants to state and local governments”

  1. Skip says:

    Unbelievable, we have rolling gun battles going on in the streets of Antioch and McNerney is passing out subsidies to the solar industry like free candy. It really shows how out of touch he is with the problems in our community. Can you imagine what type of anti-gang task force the APD could fund with even 5% of that money? $300 million is an incredible amount of money, but instead of going towards something that would benefit the needs of the community, it will go towards propping up the price of solar panels.

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