Debate Flares Over Solar Panels Measure

LOS ANGELES — A proposal to generate 400 megawatts of power by 2014 through the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of Los Angeles buildings was placed on the March ballot to encourage public debate, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Tuesday.

Measure B is part of the mayor’s plan to meet 10 percent of the city’s energy needs with solar sources by 2020. It is one-third of the city’s Solar LA plan, but the only component to appear on the March 3 ballot.

“It’s on the ballot because it is without question a bold initiative. It is one that we knew could be controversial for some and so we thought it was important to have the public debate around this issue and develop a public consensus around it,” Villaraigosa said during a teleconference with reporters.

The Department of Water and Power could install the solar panels without voter approval. Asked what the city will do if voters do not support Measure B, Villaraigosa said, “Failure is not an option.”

MSNBC