A Bill to Save Trees and Energy

Senate Bill 1399 was recently introduced in the California State Senate to strike a balance between the installation of solar collectors on a building and the preservation of existing trees and shrubs. Current state law prohibits a person owning or in control of property from allowing a tree or shrub to be placed or to grow on the property subsequent to the installation of a solar collector on the property of another if the tree or shrub casts a shadow of a specified size on the solar collection absorption area during specified times. Cities and counties may adopt an ordinance exempting its jurisdiction from the state law prohibition. Among other things, SB 1399 would exempt trees and shrubs planted prior to the time of the installation of a solar collector and trees and shrubs that are subject to a local ordinance. A hearing on SB 1399 is scheduled before the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee on April 1.