VOA慢速英语2018 加州新住宅纳入太阳能设备

California to Require Solar Power for New Homes

California has become the first U.S. state to approve plans to require newly-built homes to include solar equipment.

加州已成为美国第一个批准计划要求新建住宅纳入太阳能设备的州。 

The state’s Energy Commission voted 5-0 to approve the new rules, which are to take effect in 2020. The rules will cover most newly built residential 1 buildings up to three stories high.

纽约州能源委员会以5比0全票通过批准新规定，于2020年生效。该规定将使用于大多数三层楼层的新建住宅区。

The move is California’s latest step aimed at reaching renewable energy targets and reducing greenhouse gas emissions 3.

此举是加州旨在实现可再生能源目标并减少温室气体排放最新举措。 

California has set a goal of filling half of its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2030. Officials said they had reached 30 percent by the end of 2017. The state’s Governor, Jerry Brown, plans to hold an international climate meeting in September.

加州计划到2030达到用可再生能源满足一半的电力需求目标。官方表示，到2017年底，他们已经满足了30％的电力需求。加州州长杰里·布朗计划于9月举行一次国际气候会议。

The Energy Commission said the cost of adding solar equipment to a single-family home would be about $9,500. But, the group added that homeowners would save at least $19,000 in energy costs over 30 years.

能源委员会表示，将太阳能设备添加到单户住宅的成本约为9,500美元。但该组织补充说，房主在30年内至少可以节省19,000美元的能源成本。

The rules were approved after getting widespread support from builders, utility companies and solar equipment manufacturers.

这些规则得到了建筑商，公用事业公司和太阳能设备制造商的广泛支持后获得批准。 

Robert Raymer is the technical director for the California Building Industry Association. He says the action marks a step forward for the wider use of solar power in the U.S. “You can bet every other of the 49 states will be watching closely to see what happens,” he told the Associated Press.

罗伯特·雷默是加州建筑行业协会的技术总监。他表示，这一举措标志着美国在更加广泛使用太阳能方面向前迈出了一大步。“相信我的话，49个州都将密切关注接下来发生的事情，”他告诉美联社。

Solar companies praised the new requirements, which officials have said will likely raise demand for solar equipment in California by 10-15 percent.

太阳能公司称赞了这些新要求，官员们表示可能会将加利福尼亚太阳能设备的需求量增加10-15％。 

Tom Werner is head of California-based solar company SunPower. He told Reuters the decision was another example of California environmental policy becoming a model for other states to follow.

汤姆·维尔纳是加州太阳能公司SunPower的负责人。他告诉路透社，这一决定是加州环境政策成为其他州即将效仿的又一例证。

The Solar Energy Industries Association called it a “historic decision for the state and the U.S.” It estimated the action would produce “huge economic and environmental benefits,” including bringing tens of billions of dollars into California.

太阳能工业协会称新规定是加州和美国做出的“历史性决定”。据估计这一行动将产生巨大的经济和环境效益，其中包括会为加利福尼亚带来数百亿美元的利益。

California is already the nation’s number one market for solar equipment sales. At least 5 million homes in the state are estimated to currently use solar power.

加州已经成为全美太阳能设备销售的头号市场。据估计，该州至少有500万户家庭使用太阳能。 

But some individuals and groups criticized the new rules.

但一些个人和团体对新规定发出了批评的声音。 

Some legislative 4 and community leaders argued that Californians cannot afford to pay any more for housing in what is already an extremely high-priced market.

一些立法和社区领导人认为，在房价极高的房地产市场中，加州人无力支付得起成本更高的住房。 

“That’s just going to drive the cost up and make California, once again, not affordable 5 to live in,” said California Assemblyman Brian Dahle.

“这只会增加成本，让加州再次成为一个负担不起住房的城市，”加州议员布莱恩·戴勒说。 

Severin Borenstein is an energy economist 6 at the University of California, in Berkeley. He sent an email to the head of California’s Energy Commission to urge the state to reconsider its decision.

塞伟林·伯恩斯坦是加州大学伯克利分校的能源经济学家。他给加州能源委员会负责人发了一封电子邮件，敦促该州重新考虑其决定。

He expressed his belief that it is a mistake for California to approve such a policy instead of centering on efforts to develop large solar farms to produce renewable energy. He said these farms would cost much less to operate.

他表示，不集中精力发展大型太阳能农场来生产可再生能源，加利福尼亚批准这样的政策是错误的决定。他说农场的运营成本要低得多。

“Every energy economist I know is shaking their head at this,” he told the Wall Street Journal. “In many ways, this is setting the wrong example,” he added.

“每个我认识的能源经济学家都不赞同这个政策，”他告诉《华尔街日报》。“在很多方面，这都是一个错误的范例，”他补充道。

Words in This Story

solar – adj. of or relating to the sun

residential – adj. of or relating to the places where people live

renewable – n. any naturally occurring source of energy, such solar or wind

greenhouse gas – n. carbon dioxide and other gases that scientists have linked to rising temperatures in Earth’s atmosphere

emission 2 – n. something released into the air, such as a gas

utility – n. organization that supplies the public with water, gas, or electricity

bet – v. to think that something will probably or certainly happen?

benefit – n. something that helps or gives an advantage

affordable – adj. able to be bought by most people