Hi Janice,

Last week U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis (El Monte) introduced legislation that
would protect people from dangerous toxic chemicals.

The bill would allow the U.S. to take part in an international treaty
to phase out the most harmful chemicals linked to birth defects and
learning disabilities. The bill would also protect California’s right to
pass stronger protections against toxic chemicals if the federal
government fails to act.

Please take a moment to ask your representative to show strong
California leadership and cosponsor this bill. Then ask your friends and family
to help by forwarding this email to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:

http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/action/enviro-health/chemicals

BACKGROUND

U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis (El Monte) has taken an important step in
protecting people’s health worldwide from some of the most harmful toxic
chemicals by introducing H.R. 4800.

This bill would allow the United States to implement an international
treaty, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POPs), which is aimed at eliminating or restricting a small number of the
most dangerous contaminants. POPs are toxic chemicals that build up in
our bodies and persist in the environment for a long time. Many POPs
may cause developmental problems like learning disabilities and birth
defects.

The bill includes three main provisions:
* Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to decide whether or not
to regulate new chemicals added to the treaty in a timely fashion;
* Does not prohibit states from further protecting their citizens from
dangerous toxics when the EPA fails to act; and
* Uses a health-based scientific standard when making decisions about
regulating chemicals added to the treaty.

Other proposals on the table fail to do these three simple things.
Showing strong California support on Congresswoman Solis’ bill will help
the legislation move forward to further protect public health from toxic
chemicals.

Most recently, Environment California led the successful fight to ban
toxic flame retardants from consumer products like couches and fabrics.
California was the first state to act on this issue and set an
important precedent.

Please take a moment to ask your representative to show strong
California leadership and cosponsor this bill. Then ask your friends and family
to help by forwarding this email to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:

http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/action/enviro-health/chemicals

Dan Jacobson
Environment California Legislative Director
DanJ@environmentcalifornia.org
http://www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org

P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this
e-mail with your family and friends.

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As our dependence on natural gas drives up winter energy bills 40 to 70 percent, what will happen with our Million Solar Roofs campaign?

In addition to reducing global warming pollution, a million solar roofs mean 3,000 MW of energy, the equivalent of six giant power plants. This investment will ease demand for limited fossil fuels, hedge against higher prices and bring economic benefits to all.

So, after the Million Solar Roofs Bill, SB 1, failed to pass the Legislature in September, what can we expect of this important initiative in the coming year?

On January 12, 2006, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is expected to approve a landmark 10-year, $3.2 billion incentive program for homes, businesses, farms and schools to go solar. This giant pot of money, called the California Solar Initiative (CSI), is the core of SB 1 and aims to drive down costs by driving up demand.

When the Legislature reconvenes in 2006, the remaining policy elements of SB 1 still await approval by the Assembly. These policies will play a key supporting role to the CSI and include the requirements that solar become a standard option on all new homes and that utility companies give a million new solar customers a credit on their electric bill for excess solar power.

In light of rising energy prices and continued air pollution problems, we look forward to working with both the CPUC and the Assembly to enable California to quickly get on track to building a million solar roofs, lowering the cost of solar, and putting the power of the sun in the hands of everyday Californians.

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City of Roseville to go solar (My uncle Bruce lives there)

On November 2nd, the City of Roseville, just east of Sacramento, approved a first-ever program aimed at building 20 percent of new homes with solar panels. The program will aim to build up to 4,000 solar homes in 10 years and is expected to be finalized in June 2006.

“As far as we know, this is a California first,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, Environment California’s clean energy advocate. “As rising natural gas prices hit home this winter, this is the kind of solution-oriented policy making urgently needed.”

Roseville is one of the fastest growing cities in the region, expecting to add 20,000 new homes in the next ten years. Growth will bring increased energy demands.

According to the proposal, a BEST Home would save homeowners more than $100 per year after modest rebates and with energy efficiency features. The city and ratepayers would benefit from reduced pressure to build fossil fuel power plants.

“Solar homes are a win-win for everyone,” said Del Chiaro. “We applaud Roseville’s leadership.”

Clean Energy Advocate Bernadette Del Chiaro.

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