ENERGY INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM
The City of Yucaipa’s Energy Independence Program is an exciting opportunity for property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements through a voluntary assessment. These assessments will be attached to the property, not the owner and will be paid back through the property tax collection system over time. The goal of Yucaipa’s Energy Independence Program is to provide a method of financing energy efficient upgrades for homeowners who would otherwise be unable or unwilling to install such systems on their own. |
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ENERGY AFFORDABILITY On July 21, 2008, the Governor signed into law Assembly Bill 811 (“AB 811”), allowing cities to establish voluntary contractual assessment programs that finance a wide variety of renewable energy projects and energy improvements. The California Legislature has declared that a public purpose will be served by such programs, which provide cities the authority to finance the installation of distributed generation renewable energy sources – such as solar – and energy efficiency improvements permanently affixed to residential, commercial, industrial, or other real property. To make Energy Improvements more affordable and to promote their installation, AB 811 sets forth procedures for authorizing voluntary assessments to finance the cost of these improvements. The Energy Independence Program works at the request and with the consent of owners of the property on which Energy Improvements are to be made. The Program will provide loans to property owners within the City to finance the installation of Energy Improvements. Property owners will repay EIP Loans through an assessment levied against their property which is payable in semi-annual installments on property tax bills. By creating the Program, the City intends to assist property owners who would otherwise be unable or unwilling to finance renewable energy systems and energy efficiency measures. The participation of property owners is an important component in achieving local and statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and shoring up local, state, and national energy conservation efforts. For more detailed information, please see the Program Report and Administrative Guidelines. For additional information, please contact: |
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