$900M diverted from solar panel initiative to support Democratic voting efforts, CAL DOGE says

California’s Solar Program Funding Controversy

CAL DOGE has claimed that close to $1 billion has been misappropriated from California’s solar panel initiative, suggesting that these funds have ended up supporting Democratic voter registration efforts.

A report released recently points out that $928 million was redirected from gas taxes and electricity bills meant for solar panel installations on apartment buildings, benefiting left-leaning organizations.

The program, known as SOMAH (Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing), was launched in 2015 under AB 693. Since its start, it has allocated around $100 million annually, drawing from “cap-and-trade auction proceeds.”

According to the latest SOMAH report, only a mere 269 projects have been completed to date, accumulating a total expenditure of $72 million.

Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for governor, is expressing concerns regarding the whereabouts of the remaining funds, stating, “$928 million was stolen. It’s your money.” He alleged that the funds have gone towards voter registration initiatives supporting Democrats, calling it a significant scandal.

CAL DOGE’s report criticizes certain partner organizations of SOMAH for allegedly misusing public funds to create left-leaning activist groups in poorer regions of the state.

Jenny Ray Le Roux, the director of CAL DOGE, mentioned that residents were promised lower utility bills at the program’s launch, but contrary to expectations, bills have reportedly more than doubled for Californians not enrolled in the program since 2015.

In discussing SOMAH’s structure, CAL DOGE noted the role of a nonprofit organization, Grid Alternatives, serving as its primary program manager. They claimed this organization has been presented as a long-term partner in outreach efforts, receiving payment as a subcontractor.

Furthermore, CEJA Action, a politically oriented entity linked to CEJA, reportedly aims to empower voters and has recently created a guide to rally voters of color ahead of the 2024 elections.

The report argues that the way public funds are structured allows them, intended for educating tenants about solar power benefits, to instead bolster partisan campaigns.

Le Roux indicated that despite the cessation of funding from GRID during the Trump administration, money has continued to flow from California without adequate oversight regarding the utilization of past federal contributions.

CAL DOGE has called for a thorough audit of the solar program’s spending related to outreach and education, encompassing expenditures on subcontractors as well.