Archive for July, 2008
A “WOW” Idea For Making Solar Energy Actually Affordable For Homeowners
July 28th, 2008 categories: Buying San Diego Real Estate, Investing in San Diego Real Estate, Local San Diego News You Can Use, San Diego Real Estate, San Diego Real Estate News, Selling San Diego Real Estate
I was reading the editorial section of the Sunday newspaper that I do with religious regularity and someone wrote in about an idea that makes so much sense.
Some consumers out there just have so much to share when they express their ideas and it can really make quite a difference, especially if the idea makes good financial sense.
The idea actually for this editorial came from the city of Berkeley California that has proposed setting up a program that would create superb possibilities and answers two of the biggest problems for consumers to be able to afford solar energy at their own homes.
Problem #1 - High initial solar panel purchasing and installation costs
Problem #2 - Recovering the cost of providing solar when selling the home
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Bi-partisan Proposal For Water Bond Issue May be in Peril and A Negative Outcome is Feared in San Diego
July 12th, 2008 categories: Buying San Diego Real Estate, Legislative
The worsening water crisis in California brought forth a bipartisan effort for a $9.3 billion bond measure. There is some resistance building in the state capital as some of the legislatures feel that conservation alone can save California from the looming catastrophe .
The 9.3 Billion Dollar bond proposal includes $3 billion for reservoirs and other storage projects, with costs to be split between the state and local water providers; $2 billion for projects to use water more efficiently, protect its quality and reduce runoff; $1.9 billion to develop a Delta management plan; $1.3 billion for conservation programs along the Sacramento, San Joaquin and Klamath rivers and the Salton Sea; and more than $1 billion to improve ground water quality and recycle water.
The legislature must approve the proposal and put it forth for the voters to decide in November. But the resistance seems to be growing there and foot dragging and excuses are makes it seem that there is inaction on the water issues. San Diego , the 2nd largest city in the state is most affected as there was a judicial action that cuts the water supplies form the Sacramento River Delta due to the risk to some smelt if the Delta level continues to drop. The judicial decision called for a 50% cut back of water supplies to San Diego and since over 90 percent of our water is purchased, this is going to have a stunning effect on available water resources in our region. Thinking conservation will cure the shortfall is wishful thinking.
This proposal though could go a long way in getting new storage facilities built to provide needed reserves. The 1.9 million for the Delta Management plan would help getting the judicial decision to either be reconsidered or set aside.
The water agencies through out the state all see this as a vital issue and they are in praise of the bi-partisan proposal. Next step, get the legislature to take action ASAP and get this measure approved so that people around the state can be made aware of how important it is and get approved come the fall elections.
If this doesn’t get done San Diego stands to hurt to most and the potential for job loss and many other ill effects will be felt in every household. San Diego has seen one water plan after another at the state level having the life sucked out it and it must be realized by everyone that a controlling part of the legislature believes that dams and storage projects are harmful to the environment.
We of course can be hopeful for rain showers but the weather man says the forecast is for more drought. So good luck with that. Desalination is opposed, recycling plan not ready, importing more water seems to off the table. So if this proposal doesn’t get done, we best hope someone has some connections with the rain gods and start praying.
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