Measure B

No, this isn't what you do after Measure A doesn't work out. Rather, Measure B is an initiative on the ballot in LA on March 3rd. It's fairly ambitious in that it proposes to increase the amount of solar power generated in the city by 400 megawatts by 2014 by installing solar panels, well, pretty much everywhere.

The good thing about the initiative is that it proposes gathering solar energy from rooftops, as opposed to building large solar farms in the desert. Obviously, there's plenty of solar energy to be harvested out there. However, it's getting it to the city that's a problem. Currently, large transmission towers and lines need to be installed which generally degrade the environment. In a sunny place like LA, it makes sense to gather the energy where it doesn't need to be transmitted. Getting all of these things purchased and installed in the near term would also kick start the economy.

The bad thing about the measure is the implementation. It states that the solar panels can only be bought by the LA department of water and power (DWP) and they must be installed by their electrician's union (IBEW). As such, DWP has not come forward with how much this will cost (e.g., how much rates will go up). My guess is that the price tag will be in the billions. I understand why the measure would want DWP to set standards for installation, but why give them a monopoly which will cost more? People in LA get solar panels put on their houses every day without blowing up the power grid, so it's not a competence issue. Rather, it's politics. Everyone on the city council wants the IBEW's (and other city unions') support when the run for re-election. Funny, the mayor's name is on the ballot in March also. What a coincidence.

I'm thinking that I'm going to vote No. It could be done for probably 2/3 the cost and without building up a huge beauracracy if the DWP opened the process up. If it goes down to defeat we'll see if they are interested in keeping the IBEW happy or increasing green power in the city.