PG&E announces solar power initiative
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is planning to develop a series of solar energy projects that will produce enough electricity to power as many as 150,000 homes.
PG&E announced plans for photovoltaic projects totaling up to 500 megawatts of generating capacity in its northern and central California service areas. That's enough to meet about 1.3 percent of its electric demand.
The San Francisco-based utility will build and operate up to 250 megawatts of capacity, while an additional 250 megawatts will be built and operated by independent developers.
PG&E has submitted its plans to the California Public Utilities Commission and hopes to secure approval later this year.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says the initiative will help California reach its clean energy goals.
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The entire population of 7,000 was forced to evacuate Futaba after three reactors melted down due to damage at the town's nuclear plant caused by a magnitude 9. 0 quake and tsunami March 11, 2011.
The partial lifting of the entry ban comes weeks before the Olympic torch starts from another town in Fukushima. The torch could also arrive in Futaba,…