SUPES DUMP PACE

Supervisors have pulled the plug on the controversial Property Assessed Clean Energy or PACE program in unincorporated parts of the county.

PACE let homeowners install solar panels or make other improvements and pay back the loan on their taxes, but local realtors accused the program of letting shady lenders unfairly foreclose on people’s properties. Others at today’s meeting claimed the problems were overblown, and that PACE has helped middle class people save on their energy bills.

The similar HERO program will be phased out over the next six months.

The Bakersfield City Council takes up the issue next week.

Kelli Forsch