SHARE

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), Chair of the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee released a statement today regarding action taken by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), Chaired by State Treasurer Bill Lockyer.

“CAEATFA’s action today is well-founded. It is based on the results of the joint hearing I held last week. The facts provided at the hearing show that the program is working as intended. California based green manufacturing jobs are being created. This program is an important tool so California can continue to compete with other states and foster this new and growing industry,” said Senator Alex Padilla.

“Recent statistics show that California is leading the nation in job creation in the solar energy arena. Accountability, transparency and real economic growth are important outcomes. We will make improvements to this program, but we must not let the failure of one company deter us,” added Senator Alex Padilla.

State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, California solar industry executives and the California Legislative Analyst’s office participated in a joint oversight hearing last week of the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee, Chaired by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) and the Committee on Governance and Finance, Chaired by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis). The hearing was held to evaluate the Advanced Transportation and Alternative Source Manufacturing Sales and Use Tax Program administered by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA).

The program had been put on hold by CAEATFA more than a month ago in the wake of the Solyndra bankruptcy. The company was one of more than 26 who had participated in the program.

Senator Alex Padilla represents more than 850,000 residents of the 20th State Senate District which includes most of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.