Rep. Bob Filner is doing exactly what the state of California needs to do — think big. The only way California can pull itself out of the nonrenewable energy ditch and set an example for the rest of the country is to set the bar high.
Gov. Jerry Brown had no hesitation to setting the bar high. Brown announced in June 2010 that he wanted to see 12,000 megawatts of distributed generation by 2020 — this would call for a great amount of solar.
In order to truly start working toward this goal, city goals need to be set first. San Diego is already at the forefront of solar power in the nation, so it is only natural that they would move forward the fastest in order to reach statewide aims. Ideally, setting the bar high could result in a good amount of solar within San Diego — enough to influence other California cities to progress toward a sunnier future.
California needs office positions to be filled by people in complete advocacy of renewable energy. Moving towards a state with more and more sustainable energy is crucial, and our city and state officials should guide California in that direction. Hopefully, Bob Filner will be the first of many.
Blaire Murray is a field representative for Environment California.
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