Nick Diamantides
Staff Writer
Signal Hill residents now have the option of obtaining loans from the County of Los Angeles for the installation of solar panels as well as energy- and water-conservation systems in their homes. That opportunity was made possible by an action taken by the Signal Hill City Council during its meeting Tuesday night.
In its unanimous vote, the Council authorized the city’s participation in the Los Angeles County Energy Program (LACEP). Before the vote, Gary Jones, director of Community Development, explained the program and how it is funded.
“Assembly Bill 811 was approved by the state legislature and signed by the governor in 2008,” Jones said. “AB 811 and its amendments authorize local governments to provide financing to qualified property owners for the installation of energy- and water-efficiency improvements.” He added that the LACEP was established only about a week ago with an invitation to cities within the county to participate by adopting a resolution.
“Participating property owners repay the cost of the improvements through an assessment levied against their property, which is payable in semi-annual installments on property tax bills, and a lien is filed against the property as security,” he explained. “The assessment remains with the property should the owner transfer or sell it.”
According to Jones, LACEP financing overcomes two significant barriers that prevent many homeowners from installing renewable-energy, energy-efficiency and water-efficiency systems in their homes. He noted that the county program eliminates the need for property owners to pay out-of-pocket, up-front costs for improvements. It also establishes a loan obligation that is attached to the property and not to the individual borrower.
“Energy retrofit improvements to existing properties will allow property owners to reduce energy and water use as well as greenhouse gas emissions,” Jones noted. “At the same time, participants will reduce their ongoing costs for electricity, natural gas and water and improve the comfort and safety of their home.”
Jones also listed other benefits the program will provide to the city and residents: the creation of local jobs, interest rates on the loan that will be lower than those a homeowner could obtain from a private financial institution, no cost to the City of Signal Hill, and no city staff time spent on any aspect of the program— it is all to be administered by county staff.
“The first phase of LACEP will fund improvements to residential properties,” Jones said. “It is anticipated that loans to eligible applicants will begin disbursement after September 1, 2010. A subsequent phase of LACEP will fund improvements to commercial properties.”
According to Jones, the money for the LACEP comes from a bond issued by the county. Before each loan is made, county staff will conduct an energy audit of the home and help the homeowner select the projects that are best suited for that building. In addition, the county has a list of contractors qualified to undertake the selected renewable energy and efficiency projects. County staff will also ensure that contractors are not charging unreasonable amounts for the work performed.
“We believe it will be of great benefit to our residents,” Jones said. He added that soon the county will provide the city with marketing and outreach material templates to invite Signal Hill residents to participate in LACEP.
“I think it’s a good program,” said Councilman Mike Noll, after Jones’s presentation.
Mayor Ed Wilson agreed. “We talk about going green,” he said. “This takes down the financial barrier for many people.”
In a separate action, the Council approved a two-year extension of the city’s contract with the City of Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau for animal control service provided to Signal Hill. The contract will cost the city $128,404 over the next two years.
The next meeting of the city council is scheduled for 7pm, June 15 in the Council Chamber of Signal Hill City Hall.
More Information
LACountyEnergyProgram.org
(877) 785-2237
