Edison has given $95,000 to support the governor this year.
"When it's complete, it will produce enough power for 162,000 homes, so that is really spectacular," Schwarzenegger said of the project. "It is electricity, by the way, that is produced without emitting any greenhouse gases; no transmission lines and no fossil fuel is needed for this."
That gave critics the impression that the project was destined for approval before it had been considered by the PUC, the state's regulatory body -- before which it is still pending -- even though other power producers said it might cost too much and give Edison monopolistic control over solar energy in the area. Schwarzenegger has pushed state programs encouraging more competition in development of clean energy, so his appearance was surprising to some.
"It seemed like an endorsement," said Sue Kately, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Assn., a trade group whose members wanted the chance to develop solar facilities at a lower cost. "The project wasn't even approved yet." The governor and Edison officials returned to the same site Dec. 1 to tout completion of an initial phase that was allowed by the PUC.
The Times identified more than 30 appearances by the governor with donors in 2008. Schwarzenegger's aides said those represent a fraction of 185 events he had attended as of early November. But most of the activities they cited were purely governmental, involving no private interests that typically make political contributions
Aaron McLear, the governor's spokesman, said there is no direct relationship between his fundraising and his public events, but there may be a natural synergy. He promotes companies whose activities coincide with his interests, such as clean energy and climate change, and the same people contribute money because they like his policies.
These events "benefit the public by highlighting what these companies are doing that is in line with the governor's vision," McLear said.
Often, the governor's appearances are orchestrated by longtime confidants. The Edison event was coordinated by California Strategies, an influential Sacramento consulting firm headed by Bob White. White is a former chief of staff for Gov. Pete Wilson, who assisted Schwarzenegger during the 2003 recall campaign.
Jim Brulte, a former Republican state legislative leader who is now a California Strategies consultant, stood on the roof and received thanks from the governor at the announcement.
