HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210319_LettertoWeineretal_SB617City of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7114, slocity.org
March 18, 2021
The Honorable Scott Wiener
Senator, California State Senate
State Capitol Building, Room 5100
Sacramento, CA 95814
The Honorable Josh Becker
Senator, California State Senate
State Capitol Building, Room 3076
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (650) 212-3320
The Honorable Henry Stern
Senator, California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 5080
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 651-4927
RE: SB 617 Residential Solar Energy Systems Permitting
Dear Senator Wiener:
On behalf of the city of San Luis Obispo, I write to express our strong support for Senate
Bill 617, which will provide resources to local governments to support implementation of
instant and online permitting for solar and storage installations, and ultimately require
adoption of instant and online permitting across California.
Before any homeowner can install solar, they need to apply for a permit from our local
building department. SB 617 would provide our building department and others the
resources to establish an online system that automates the review of standard residential
solar systems to ensure they are up to code. Several cities in California have already
developed online and instant permitting processes, and the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory has now created a tool, Sola rAPP+, that is free to all jurisdictions. This bill
will support the adoption of tools like SolarAPP+, will lower the costs and increase the
speed of installing solar, leading to the increased adoption of solar in my city.
The rapid growth of solar result ing from SB 617 would benefit our community. Solar
generates carbon -free electricity and prevents other pollutants from fossil fuel power
plants. Solar energy, tied with storage, lowers residents’ energy bills, readies the grid for
electric vehicles, and k eeps the lights on and medical devices on during blackouts and
public safety power shutoffs (PSPS). Solar installations also create local, accessible and
good-paying jobs for our residents in a growing industry.
Thank you for your leadership and for autho ring this important legislation that will help
our state accelerate its transition to clean energy and meet our climate emissions targets
by 2045.
Sincerely,
Heidi Harmon
Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo
cc. State Senator Bill Monning, fax (916) 651-4917
State Assembly Member Jordan Cunningham, fax (916) 319-2135
San Luis Obispo City Council