A large number of Southland cities are slapping on high permit fees for solar electric permits, ignoring a state mandate designed to promote the energy system, according to a survey by the Sierra Club.
The Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club said it has launched a compaign to reverse the trend, asking several dozen agencies with reported permit fees of $750 or more to review their solar-permit fee methodologies that are higher than cost recovery levels.
San Gabriel, Carson and Hawaiian Gardens had the third, fourth and fifth highest fees among 250 communities to install photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on residential roofs, according to the survey, which was conducted between January and April.
San Gabriel and Hawaiian Gardens officials said their fees were based on valuation of the project and on staff-time costs, but they added that reviews of possible moderation of fee structures are planned.
For instance, a report was being prepared for the San Gabriel City Council, according to city planner Mark Gallatin; and Hawaiian Gardens was considering possible grant programs to assist in funding projects, according to Assistant City Manager Gary Chicots.
Read the Sierra Club report here.
Joe Segura, a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper, has covered Gotham City, er Long Beach, for 34 years. During his very, very long -- endless -- tenure, he's covered almost every beat, and he was the main writer for BeachWeek, which focused on life and lifestyles of the shoreline communities from downtown Long Beach to the Huntington Beach pier.
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