For Immediate Release	Contact:	Nicole Capretz
August 7, 2003		619-236-6616 Cell

MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS SET RENEWABLE ENERGY GOAL

Plan Calls for Generating 50 Megawatts with Clean Renewable Sources

San Diego - Mayor Dick Murphy, Councilmember Michael Zucchet and Councilmember Donna Frye today announced the city's new goal to dramatically increase the amount of power generated by renewable sources in San Diego.

"This plan will not only reduce the burning of fossil fuels and contribute to cleaning up our air, it will help free the city of San Diego from the whims of the volatile electricity market," Mayor Murphy said. "Creating renewable sources of power is the key to pursuing energy independence, which is my Goal #9."

The Mayor, Zucchet and Frye announced that their goal is to bring 50 megawatts of new renewable energy generation sources online in the city by 2013. That is enough electricity to power up to 50,000 homes. The city officials also will lead the effort to establish a Renewable Energy Advisory Board, which will make recommendations to the Council about how best to achieve the goal.

If the plan is approved by the City Council, the new board will quickly begin searching for the best ways to encourage both public and private development of renewable sources such as solar power and landfill gas. The city of San Diego currently generates approximately 18 megawatts of electricity through solar and landfill gas systems.

The program also is expected to invigorate the budding solar power industry in San Diego.

"This aggressive goal brings San Diego closer to energy independence while bringing additional skilled jobs to our region," said Zucchet, who is the Mayor's partner on Goal #9.

In September, the matter will go before the City Council's Rules Committee, which is chaired by Mayor Murphy.

"We are determined to learn our lesson from the 2000/2001 energy crises and take control of San Diego's energy future," Councilmember Frye said. "By conserving energy and by generating locally produced renewable energy, we will ensure that our homes and businesses have a stable source of energy, while also creating jobs and cleaning the air."

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