Issues
Energy
California attracts more investment in green and clean technology than any other state in the nation. Harnessing the power of clean, renewable energy and improving energy efficiency will benefit California in countless ways – creating thousands of new jobs, introducing a new “green-collar” industry, freeing us from dependence on foreign oil, protecting the environment and reducing our energy costs in the long run.
The innovation of California’s private sector and our vast natural resources will only take us so far in creating a new, clean energy economy. Our elected leaders in Sacramento must match this potential with smart energy policy and cutting edge energy initiatives that will open California’s economy to a new generation of clean power.
As Governor, Gavin Newsom wants to bring the power of a clean energy revolution to California – the same way he brought it to San Francisco, by expanding partnerships with the private sector, attracting clean tech industries and establishing aggressive incentives to generate clean, renewable energy while creating new jobs and economic opportunity.
- The Country’s Most Aggressive Solar Incentive Program: San Francisco has the country’s largest and most aggressive municipal solar program – a program that both reduces energy costs and our dependence on polluting energy sources. By leveraging public dollars with private investment from solar providers, GoSolarSF combines federal tax credits and state incentives to reduce the cost of installing a residential solar power system by more than 50 percent. GoSolarSF also has specific bonus incentives for employers who hire new staff through the City's workforce development program, helping to create jobs for San Franciscans in the new green economy.
- Reduced Energy Costs for Residents and Businesses: In partnership with local energy companies, Gavin Newsom helped launch SF Energy Watch – a program to help businesses and residential buildings lower their energy bills and reduce environmental impact by giving free on-site assessments to identify energy savings, reduced-cost energy efficient equipment and technical services at reduced cost and provide expert installation of energy saving equipment. Between 2007 and 2009, 1,500 businesses and multifamily properties have saved over $5.7 million in energy bills through SF Energy Watch.
- Electric Vehicle Network: Over 50% of San Francisco’s public transit vehicles are now electric and the city has the largest bio-diesel fleet in the nation. In a regional partnership, Mayor Newsom and regional leaders have drafted a nine-step policy plan to make the Bay Area the national leader in electric vehicle infrastructure through aggressive incentives for electric vehicle charging stations, shared government programs for the purchase of electric vehicles and expediting permitting and installation of plug-in charging stations and programs. And while San Francisco already has the cleanest public transit fleet in the nation, Mayor Newsom has set an ambitious goal to have San Francisco’s public transit fleet run exclusively on green and renewable sources by 2020.
- Wave and Wind Power: In 2009, San Francisco took the first formal steps toward developing the first commercially-scaled wave power generation project in California’s history. Within a few years, Mayor Newsom expects this wave platform and tidal project to have the potential to generate 100 megawatts of energy. In 2008, Mayor Newsom co-chaired the Residential Wind Power Work Group and signed an executive order to expedite permitting and minimize costs for the installation of residential, commercial and municipal wind generation turbines in San Francisco to encourage small-scale, urban development of wind power.
- Green Collar Economy: Investment in a new green economy means a healthy environment – but for California it also will lead to the creation of hundreds and thousands of new “green collar” jobs statewide. In San Francisco, GoSolarSF offers its highest rebate to companies that hire workers from the city's workforce development program. Since the program launched in July of 2008, applications for new solar installations have nearly quadrupled and of the 640 projects under GoSolarSF, 83 percent are employing San Francisco workforce development trainees.
- Green Technology: San Francisco’s emerging clean technology economy boasts more than 197 companies. The city has recruited clean tech businesses through local attraction and retention programs and financial incentives. Comprehensive job training programs in green technology assure that the growing green economy includes those who were once locked out of the old industrial economy.
- Join Our Policy Team: Gavin Newsom believes that the best plan is a better idea. If you would like to share your ideas and insights on how to reshape California's Energy policy, please email us at issues@gavinnewsom.com.
