Hot over solar

Re “Solar measure ordered drafted,” Oct. 29

The Times hits the nail on the head in highlighting the backroom deal between the L.A. City Council and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, or IBEW, in the city’s proposed solar rooftop measure. As you correctly note, the IBEW helped to write the measure, and labor was the only group supporting it in council chambers. There were no supporting comments from solar groups or the private sector.

The reason why: The city’s IBEW-crafted measure blatantly limits competition and excludes the participation from the solar industry and the rest of the labor community that serves it. The fact that the program is estimated to cost between $1.5 billion and $3 billion shows that DWP ratepayers will pay a high price for this shameful ploy if we do not open up the program to other installers and their employees.

The city’s solar initiative is important. It should be done right. Our environment and our pocketbooks depend on it.

Gary Toebben

Los Angeles

The writer is president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.