[Think] Fwd: A message from Robert Redford and Bonnie Raitt

[Fen Labalme]

DON'T LET THE UTILITIES TURN OUT THE LIGHTS ON SOLAR ENERGY

Dear Friend:

As people who've been active in the environmental movement for a
long time, we'd like to tell you about a critical vote the
California legislature is about to take that will impact the future
of solar energy in America.

Last year, California passed a law, referred to as net metering,
that lets large solar energy systems on factories, schools, offices
and other big buildings receive credit for the electricity they give
back to the electric grid. It has been a huge success, sparking a
1000% increase in the number of large solar energy systems in just
one year and creating a model for the country. AB 58 by Assemblyman
Fred Keeley (D - Boulder Creek) would extend this law past the end
of this year, when it expires.

But California's three big utilities - PG&E, Edison, and Sempra -
have launched a stealth campaign to undermine it. They have amended
the bill in a way that cuts in half the credit given for solar
electricity.  If these utilities get their way, many people who
would otherwise like to install solar panels will no longer be able
to afford to. And California's solar power market, the most vibrant
in the nation, will be devastated, with grave consequences for the
environment.

There is simply too much at stake for us to lose this fight. Nuclear
power plants leave us radioactive waste that will last for thousands
of years. Emissions from power plants that run off coal, oil and gas
pollute the air we breathe and are the leading contributor to global
warming. The best way to say no to these environmentally harmful
sources is to say yes to clean alternatives like solar energy.

The good news is that the price of solar energy has been falling as
more people buy it - the cost drops by about 20% every time demand
doubles. But since two thirds of America's market for solar panels
is in California, our progress will be brought to a standstill if
the utilities succeed. Companies that profit from pollution should
not call the shots, especially when there is so much on the line.
Please join us in speaking out today.  The California Legislature
takes up AB 58 on Monday Aug. 12.

There are two things you can do. First, you can join us in
immediately contacting these key elected officials and letting them
know that you support strong net metering laws. Tell them this is
the time to give more incentives to solar energy, not fewer.

Governor Gray Davis                             (916) 445-2841
Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Fred Keeley        (916) 319-2027
Assemblymember Roderick Wright                  (916) 319-2048
State Senator Debra Bowen                       (916) 445-5953
State Senate President Pro Tem John Burton      (916) 445-1412
Speaker of the Assembly Herb Wesson             (916) 319-2147

You can email them directly by going to www.votesolar.org.

Second, send this email along to family, friends, and colleagues so
they too can send a message to decision makers. Together, we can
help California and the rest of the nation plug into the sun.

Thank you

Bonnie Raitt, Robert Redford
Graham Nash & David Crosby