Pico Rivera Achieves Solsmart Gold Mark of Excellence in Solar Energy Management Leadership
Pico Rivera Achieves Gold Status in SolSmart Program
Pico Rivera, California, has been awarded the Gold designation from the SolSmart program, a national initiative that helps local governments make it easier to adopt solar energy. This makes Pico Rivera the first City in California to receive this honor since 2023 and the first Gateway City ever to achieve the Gold level designation.
The City's Power Choice program, offered through Pico Rivera Innovative Municipal Energy (PRIME), played a significant role in achieving this recognition. This program provides residents and businesses with access to solar energy and battery storage systems, offering them no upfront costs and no credit check required.
The Gold designation was primarily earned by Pico Rivera's efficient solar permitting practices that reduce barriers to solar energy development. The SolSmart program provides free technical assistance to cities to streamline solar permitting, planning, and zoning processes, making it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to install solar panels.
Key practices that Pico Rivera likely implemented include streamlined solar permitting processes, reducing or eliminating fees, improved planning and zoning, providing clear guidance and resources, and training local staff. These actions align with the criteria that SolSmart uses to award Gold status, signaling the city’s commitment to fostering a solar-friendly environment and reducing hurdles for solar energy adoption.
While specific detailed practices by Pico Rivera are not fully documented, their recognition for streamlined solar permitting points to such improvements consistent with SolSmart Gold requirements. Councilmember participation and city presentations related to the Gold designation also reflect official efforts to maintain and build on these solar-friendly policies.
Pico Rivera was selected for this award among 27 cities within the Gateway Cities region. The SolSmart program is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Deb Perry, Clean Energy Program Director, ICMA, commended Pico Rivera on their well-deserved Gold designation.
In addition to this achievement, Pico Rivera has also received the Platinum Energy Action Award from the Gateway Cities Council of Governments. Pico Rivera City Manager Steve Carmona stated that the designation reflects the City's strong commitment to environmental leadership, sustainability, and equity for the community.
Leslie Graham, IREC's Vice President of Development, highlighted the changes made by city staff that contributed to the Gold designation, including updating the website, attending trainings, and adopting automated solar permitting. Dr. Monica Sánchez was sworn in as Pico Rivera Mayor, and Erik Lutz was appointed Mayor Pro Tem in December 2021.
With these accomplishments, Pico Rivera continues to lead the way in promoting renewable energy and environmental sustainability, setting an example for other cities to follow.
- The City Council of Pico Rivera, California, has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a solar-friendly environment and reducing hurdles for solar energy adoption, leading to the city's Gold designation from the SolSmart program.
- The community news in Pico Rivera highlights the city's recent achievements in environmental science, such as the adoption of renewable energy and the implementation of energy-efficient permit processes.
- Local government initiatives like Pico Rivera's Power Choice program, offered through Pico Rivera Innovative Municipal Energy (PRIME), aim to promote the adoption of solar energy and battery storage systems within the community.
- Events in Pico Rivera, such as those related to environmental-science and climate-change, are likely to focus on topics like the city's Gold SolSmart designation, renewable energy, and the benefits of solar energy for the community.
- Pico Rivera's Gold designation from SolSmart, an initiative of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), also highlights the city's efforts in sustainable finance and reducing the environmental impact of the industry.
- Businesses and residents in Pico Rivera can take advantage of the city's streamlined solar permitting processes and support the local government's goal of promoting renewable energy and reducing the community's carbon footprint.
