A Call to Action Jack Pouchet NOW is the best possible time to change our energy habits. This is the year to begin a serious drive to put renewable energy (RE), our environment, electric vehicles (EVs), and social awareness on our political agenda. If we work smartly and tap the proper resources, we can make a significant impact on our society's energy problems. Why is it time to act? Well, there have been a host of seemingly unrelated recent events and developments which are yielding startling results. Some of these items are: 1. New air quality legislation in California mandates the sale and use of non-polluting vehicles. By 2003, at least 10% of the vehicles sold in California must be zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). 2. Over 11 states, including New York, Massachusetts, and Florida are considering adoption of the California air quality standards. 3. Fuel taxes and toll road costs have increased. New toll roads charge higher tolls during peak travel times and reduced rates for high occupancy vehicles (HOV). 4. Continuing photovoltaic research by Siemens and breakthrough technology from Texas Instruments (TI) and Southern California Edison (SCE) will make lower cost photovoltaic panels (PV). Expect a two fold reduction in the price of each panel by mid 1994 and PVs in the realm of $1 per watt by 1995. 5. California exempts buyers from sales tax on electric vehicles and EV conversion kits through 1995. In addition, a state tax credit up to $1,000 is available for purchasing a certified "low emission vehicle." 6. Southern California Edison is proposing legislation requiring all new residences built in their service area from 1995 onward to have 2 kW. of PVs and to feed the excess power into the utility grid. What ties these news items together? They signal the economic and social reality of solar power. This realization is due to economic reasons, not a world oil crisis. Now for my "Call to Action." We need to target government and industry to make changes accommodating Electric Vehicles (EV). Legislation promoting EVs is a waste of paper if there is no incentive for people to buy and use EVs. California's offer of tax credits is a great start. I recommend the following: 1. Dedicate 2% of all public parking spaces to EVs by 1995 with an increase to 15% by 2005. ¥ All EV spaces will have free RE-produced electricity available. What energy is not used by EVs will be sold to the utility grid. ¥ Non-EVs will be towed away if found parking in an EV space, with a fine of $250 plus cost of towing and storage. ¥ EV spaces would be funded from state and federal highway taxes, public bond offerings, developer/builder fees for all new construction, and fees from toll roads/bridges. Revenue generated from selling excess capacity back to the utilities would be used to pay off the bonds and fund further construction. 2. Utilities will buy back excess RE produced power at a price that includes the utility's environmental impact costs. The minimum rate is $.06 per kilowatt-hour. 3. EVs with 2 or more passengers will pay no tolls through 1997. From then on they will pay tolls equal to or less than 50% of the HOV rate. Single passenger EVs will get at least a 25% rate reduction through 1997. Private organizations may take advantage of EV spaces and utility buy back, but at least 3% of their parking places must be for EVs. We need such a program to encourage people to buy and use EVs. Such a program will promote the development of new technologies, increase PV production, lower PV costs, improve our environment, reduce traffic, and improve our quality of life. And this will create positive, Earth friendly jobs and bolster our economy. With EV parking spaces available, the EV user, you and I, can now venture 80 to 90 miles in almost any direction from our homes. This is the type of freedom of movement and ease of use that will be needed to make EVs acceptable to America. This can be a win-win situation for everyone. The manufacturers have a more open, receptive market. The government, politicians, etc. can point to their environmental action and efforts. The utilities will still end up selling more electricity, but now can do it with no increase in capacity. The RE industry gets an opportunity for growth and recognition. And our planet gets a much needed break. Your help is needed to make this a reality. Get involved now with whatever political party you favor. Insist on RE and EVs being included in their platform. Seek support in your local community and take your message all the way to the President. Write letters, write articles for company newspapers, send copies of pertinent articles to local and national leaders, and then telephone everyone you have written to. Don't forget local planning commissions, regional air quality districts, zoning groups, or any agency dealing with land and highway use. A well-written letter combined with a thoughtful phone call is worth more than a thousand votes at the national level! The same letter and phone call to General Motors, Ford, Chrysler could be worth many thousands of U.S. JOBS! It is up to US to GET INVOLVED. ACT NOW! MAKE IT HAPPEN! Access Author: Jack Pouchet, 19085 Consul Ave., Corona, CA 91719 ¥ 714-734- 0714