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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />MAY 5, 2008 <br />TITLE: <br />PILOT FEE-WAIVER <br />ENCOURAGE USE OF <br />TECHNOLOGIES <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />^ As Recommended <br />PROGRAM TO ^ As Amended <br />SOLAR ^ Ordinance on 1S' Reading <br />^ Ordinance on 2"d Reading <br />^ Implementing Resolution <br />^ Set Public Hearing For_ <br />CITY MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Adopt a resolution authorizing a two-year pilot program to encourage <br />solar installations by temporarily waiving permitting fees. <br />DISCUSSION <br />The City Council's Development Committee recently discussed efforts to <br />broaden the City's environmental agenda including, for instance, <br />supporting the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) <br />program sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Under such a <br />program, Congress would annually appropriate both competitive and direct <br />formula-based funding for local energy and conservation projects. Though <br />ultimately interested in a more comprehensive approach to environmental <br />and energy issues, the Development Committee at its February 7, 2008, <br />meeting recommended that the City Council consider a pilot program to <br />encourage installation of solar technologies in Santa Ana. The <br />opportunities to encourage these technologies are immediate - and they're <br />another step toward creating a more sustainable community. <br />The two primary uses of solar energy include using the sun to heat water <br />and/or to generate electricity. Both rely on widely tested and proven <br />technologies. But their application has in the past been limited in that <br />the acquisitionjconstruction costs have been relatively high in <br />comparison to potential cost savings. That dynamic continues to shift, <br />however, given the ever increasing cost of energy as well as the <br />heightened awareness of environmental concerns, climate change and the <br />need to conserve energy. Additionally, advances in solar energy <br />manufacturing technologies, as well as expanded markets for solar energy <br />products, are continuing to improve the cost/benefit equation. <br />The City has processed relatively few solar energy projects (less than <br />ten projects per year) in recent years. Though the number of solar <br />projects undertaken over the next two years is difficult to predict, it <br />is expected to grow. <br />55A-1 <br />