Which Way, L.A.?
SoCal Utilities Sluggish on Shift to Solar
State policy requires a transition to renewables, but frustrated local homeowners accuse utilities of dragging their feet because alternative power costs them money.
By Warren Olney • • 25m ListenWith sunlight year-round, Southern California is a perfect place to install solar power, and state policy requires a transition to renewables. But frustrated local homeowners accuse public utilities of dragging their feet because alternative power costs them money. How come installation takes five times longer in LA than in San Diego or Sacramento? Also, Saul Gonzalez goes where few have gone before: the control center for much of our water.
Later on To the Point, among parents, teachers and other adults, there is widespread distress about the dangers faced by young people on the Internet. We hear that a crackdown on digital social networking might be exactly the wrong solution — especially from the kids' point of view.
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In this episode
2 storiesThe Red Tape Required to Go Green
It's state policy that, by 2020, 33 percent of California electricity will be generated by renewable power. Lots of Southern California homeowners want to go solar, and installation companies have workers ready to go. But going green and saving money is not so easy. That's according to Shan Li of the LA Times .
Read the story18 minMetropolitan Water's Clandestine Control Center
Governor Brown has unveiled a $687 million proposal to deal with the drought , including increased penalties for diverting water illegally. Officials of the vast Metropolitan Water District don't like publicizing the existence of the control center that manages its sprawling infrastructure. But KCRW's Saul Gonzalez was given access.
Read the story7 min
