A、It is the biggest market for solar equipment sales in the US. B、No more than 5 million homes in the state are using solar powe

California has become the first US state to approve plans to require newly-built homes to include solar equipment. 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 buildings up to three stories high. The move is California’s latest step aimed at reaching renewable energy targets and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. California has set a goal of filling half of its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2030. Officials said they had reached 30% by the end of 2017. 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. The rules were approved after getting widespread support from builders, utility companies and solar equipment manufacturers.
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 US. Solar companies praised the new requirements, which officials have said will likely raise demand for solar equipment in California by 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. The Solar Energy Industries Association called it a historic decision for the state and the US. It estimated the action would produce huge economic and environmental benefits, including bringing tens of billions of dollars into California. 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.
But some individuals and groups criticized the new rules. Some legislative and community leaders argued that Californians cannot afford to pay any more for housing in what is already an extremely high-priced market. Severin Borenstein is an energy economist 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. He expressed his belief that it is a mistake for California to approve such a policy instead of paying more attention to efforts to develop large solar farms to produce renewable energy. He said these farms would cost much less to operate.
Questions 19 to 22 are based on the recording you have just heard.
19. What is the talk mainly about?
20. When will the new rules take effect?
21. What can we learn about California?
22. What is Severin Borenstein’s attitude towards the new rules?