According to the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), California voters have approved a school bond, including funding and incentives for equipment to improve energy use patterns and to shift peak electrical demand. ARI said that the school bond is historic for its first-ever inclusion of funding for energy efficiency and cost-reduction components.

In addition, California Governor Gray Davis signed into law three pieces of energy legislation favoring thermal storage. A common thread in all the new legislation is an emphasis on public benefits for Californians, including improved reliability of electrical supplies, reduction in overall energy costs, new job creation, and positive environmental impacts.

— By J.J. Siegel

Publication date: 01/13/2003