California has long been a leader in clean energy. From the early days of rooftop solar to becoming the fourth-largest economy in the world with climate action as a cornerstone, we have shown what’s possible. But right now, we face a pivotal moment — and a fleeting opportunity.
If you’ve ever considered installing solar panels with battery storage or buying an electric vehicle, now is the time. Thanks to federal tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, households and businesses can save thousands — but those incentives are expiring after 2025. To qualify, battery systems must be installed and fully operational by the end of this year. To get the $7,500 for a new or $4,000 for a used car, it needs to be purchased and delivered by September 30. That’s not a lot of time, and you need to start right away to make the cutoff.
Here in Santa Barbara County, we’re blessed with abundant sun and the public will to act. Our region has been a pioneer in environmental leadership since the 1969 Oil Spill. Today we continue that legacy as proud members of 3CE, Central Coast Community Energy, a public agency formed to accelerate our transition away from fossil fuels. Through 3CE, we already have contracts in place to power our homes and businesses with more than 60 percent clean energy — and expect to be 100 percent renewable by more than a decade ahead of the state goal. 3CE also reinvests in our communities through rebates for electrification, storage and resilience. Its incentives for battery storage can be stacked on top of the federal subsidy. 3CE has invested millions in Santa Barbara County to help residents and businesses make the switch. These are local dollars, staying in our community, building our clean energy future from the ground up.