Berkeley is set to become the first city in the USA to help thousands of its residents generate solar power without having to put money up front.

City of Berkeley adopt innovative solar tax

Berkeley FIRST is a solar financing program offered by the City of Berkeley starting at the end of October 2008.

Borrow money from the city, repay it along your taxes

FIRST will offer property owners an opportunity to borrow money from the City’s Sustainable Energy Financing District to install solar photovoltaic electric systems and allow the cost to be repaid over 20 years through an annual special tax on their property tax bill. The tax will only be paid by Berkeley property owners who voluntarily participate in the Berkeley FIRST program.

A bold Climate Action Plan

In November 2006, Berkeley voters issued a call to action on the climate challenge by overwhelmingly endorsing ballot Measure G. The mandate was simple but bold: reduce our entire community's greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050. The measure directs the Mayor to develop a Climate Action Plan to reach that target.

On Tuesday, September 23rd Berkeley's Climate Action Plan was presented to the community and City Council. Comments will be accepted through November 7, 2008. For more info please contact MeasureG@ci.berkeley.ca.us. or visit the website.

ICLEI in the USA

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