The so-called "public goods charge," a levy that has generated billions of dollars over the years for energy-efficient programs, is about to go out of existence unless state political leaders can figure out a way of breathing new life into the program. The Chronicle's Wyatt Buchanan tells the tale.
"A program that has generated billions of dollars in funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy research over the past 14 years is set to expire at the end of the year after lawmakers refused to renew it, and now state leaders are trying to find a way to replace it."
"The program is funded by a "public goods" fee that appears on the utility bills of most Californians and raises $356 million each year to provide rebates to customers who buy energy-efficient appliances and to contribute to renewable energy research, among other things."
"Proponents say that allowing the fee to lapse could be a major blow to developing new energy technology. Critics, however, contend the program has outlived its original goal or in some cases has been used for the wrong purposes."
Not long before it went belly-up, Solyndra told lawmakers that its factory output was increasing and that its prospects were rosy.
From Daniel J. Goldstein at California Watch: "Factory output is ramping rapidly," Harrison wrote in a June 22 presentation to members of Congress titled, “Exceeding Expectations, Solyndra Today.”
"Harrison said sales, which were said to be double 2010 revenue of $140 million, were picking up, selling more than 10,000 panels a week, or enough to power 500 homes, according to the presentation obtained by California Watch."
"While Harrison was painting a rosy picture of his company to lawmakers, the private sector was more skeptical. Elliott Gansner, a San Francisco-based broker of solar products, wasn't sure who was buying Solyndra's products. While unique, he said, they were just a niche product to his company, which has a worldwide portfolio of more than 7,500 solar companies."
David Crane, former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's long-time financial adviser and a close friend, won't be getting confirmed to the UC Board of Regents, where Schwarzenegger appointed him just before he left office.
From Larry Gordon and Patrick McGreevy in the LA Times: "San Francisco businessman David Crane’s brief term as a UC regent seems likely to be over in December because Democrats in the state Senate have not moved to confirm his appointment nine months ago by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger."
"Under state rules, an appointee to the university board can serve up to a year without legislative confirmation. The state Senate is now in recess and no special session is scheduled for the rest of the year."
"Crane, a Democrat who was an economic advisor to Schwarzenegger, a Republican, is opposed by labor unions and student organizations who contend that Crane does not represent the values the board needs and that he has taken anti-union positions. Crane has said that he is not anti-labor and said that union activists have distorted his concerns about the power of public employee unions over pension benefits and reform."
Property-tax cutting Proposition 13, which California voters approved in 1978, remains solidly popular in California, despite repeated complaints from Democrats and others that it is at the root of the state's fiscal ills.
From the Bee's David Siders: "By a greater than 2-to-1 ratio, with 63 percent support, California voters would endorse the measure if it were up for a vote again today, according to the poll."
"It's still the third rail of California politics," poll director Mark DiCamillo said. "It's really an untouchable. Tinkering with Proposition 13 would probably be done at a politician's own peril."
"Approved by a 65 percent to 35 percent margin 33 years ago, Proposition 13 drastically reduced property taxes and made it more difficult for lawmakers to raise taxes in general."
"The level of support slipped slightly in later years, from as low as 50 percent in 1991 to 57 percent in 2008, and politicians seeking to raise revenue in a withering economy occasionally considered trying to change it."
Meg Whitman, whose failed campaign for governor last year became a textbook case of squandered money and mismanagement, is the new new top executive at HP.
From Steve Johnson and Brandon Bailey in the Mercury News: "It won't be easy. HP has been battered by a plunge in stock value, uneven earnings and widespread criticism of its decision to explore unloading its flagship PC business."
"And Whitman is faced with what to do about a series of controversial moves the company's board says it still supports."
"Reaction to her appointment was mixed and some wondered whether she is the right person to lead a company that has recently struggled to define its role in the tech industry."
"We're at a critical moment," board member Ray Lane, who is moving to a more active role as executive chairman, said during a conference call with analysts. "We need new leadership. Today we took a great step in that direction."
