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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Solar Power – A Reality for Low-Income Californians

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Monday, May 7, 2012   

LOS ANGELES - Solar power is becoming a reality for some of California's low-income families. A non-profit organization is bringing the energy-saving benefits of the sun to those who need it the most by holding solar block parties to raise money.

Those events helped pay for a solar electric system recently installed on Ivan Lopez's Fresno home. He says his electric bills have been slashed in half, and he's helping the environment.

"The whole thing of solar panels was not only about saving money. It was both saving and that fact that, you know, 'How can I contribute?' Although, maybe it might be a small thing, it still was my contribution."

Lopez is one of nearly 2,000 homeowners who've had solar panels installed by GRID Alternatives. The non-profit organization already has plans for more solar block parties in San Jacinto, San Diego and San Jose.

Erica Mackie, executive director with GRID Alternatives, says every project they do has a triple bottom line.

"We are lowering low-income families' bills so they will have more money in their pockets to pay for things like school and food and clothes. We are providing hands-on experience and training in a growing, not shrinking, industry. And we're really sort of building a clean power plant one house at a time."

More families across America may also benefit from the sun through a new federal initiative promoting residential solar energy systems. The Department of Energy recently announced plans to develop "plug-and-play" solar systems that will reduce the cost of home solar systems. The initial $5 million fund could be increased to $20 million with Congressional approval.

More information is at www.gridalternatives.org and www.solarthon.org.





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