California Legislature approves bill requiring 33% renewables by 2020

[bananas]

It still has to be signed by the Governor:

http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/ca-rps-passes-legislature-0525.html

March 29, 2011
Broad and Bipartisan Support for Clean Energy and Job Creation

BERKELEY (March 29, 2011) – In a bold move to bolster one of the few bright spots in California’s economy and set a precedent for strong renewable electricity standards nationwide, the California Legislature today approved a bill that would require utilities in the state to obtain at least 33 percent of their electricity from clean, renewable sources, such as the wind and sun, by 2020. Promoted by the governor and legislative leaders in both houses as part of a green jobs stimulus package, the bill would create the most aggressive renewable energy requirement in the country and position California as a national leader in clean energy investments.

“Today’s vote is not just a victory for California’s economy and environment, but for the entire nation,” said Laura Wisland, an energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the leading national nonprofit organization providing economic, technical and policy analysis of renewable electricity standards. “Transitioning toward more clean, renewable electricity sources means cleaner air, healthier communities, and a stronger green economy.”

Introduced by State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), the bill (SBX1 2) garnered the backing of a broad range of electric utilities, ratepayer groups, environmental organizations and renewable energy businesses. UCS advised the California bill authors, and played a lead role to build support for the bill as it made its way through the Legislature. UCS also has been involved in coalition efforts to enact clean energy standards in other states and at the federal level.

<snip>

Wisland said that the federal government should follow California’s lead. “Once again, California has demonstrated national leadership in advancing clean energy,” she said. “Now it’s Congress’s turn to act.” Such a move by federal legislators has widespread public support, she added. A February Gallup poll found that 83 percent of Americans favor Congress passing a bill that would provide incentives for renewable energy.

For more information on the California RPS, see the UCS fact sheet, “California Renewable Electricity Standard.”

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

[dana_b]

1. it's a start!

now I bet PG&E will file some lawsuit on Monday.

[moparlunatic]

5. And jack my rates

On Tuesday.

[kristopher]

6. That's short term thinking

With renewables there is no fuel costs, so they provide far more price stability for consumers over the long haul. Are you enjoying the ups and downs we see with gasoline, for example?
In the longer term the costs to consumers of a renewable grid shouldn't be much different than they are with today's pollution nuclear and fossil technologies.

[FBaggins]

2. Almost double in nine years?

That's an incredibly agresive standard.

More power to 'em!

[bananas]

3. We're at roughly 18% now, so it's less than double.

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x286947

[FBaggins]

4. Thus the "almost"

:-)

Still a very agressive goal. Quite an example if they can pull it off.

Is the state doing something more than mandate it?

[NYC_SKP]

7. How about a $3.00 per watt incentive to install wind turbines? I'm getting $28,800.00 for my home.

From the state energy commission, despite the economic downturn here.

The program just closed but provided $3/watt installed capacity up to 10kW nameplate capacity ($30,000).

I have my reservation for 9,600 that will more than pay for the six 1,600 watt turbines I'm having installed.

More here: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/program.html#rebate-levels

:P

[Throckmorton]

8. How large is your parcel of land? N/T

[NYC_SKP]

12. 1/3 acre.

Turbines are small, can be roof ridge mounted or pole mounted.

Each one has a 4 or 5 foot diameter, I forget which.

:P

[Throckmorton]

13. Can you send me some info on them?

Im on a 1/4 acre lot, and can,t use solarpanels due to my homes layout and neighbors trees. Im only 400 feet from the seashore, and have a great breeze/wind most of the time.

[NYC_SKP]

14. Read the first three articles on this blog by Dyocore, the mfgr of my turbines.

It discusses the incentive program, the temporary suspension, and the permitting process.

http://www.dyocore.com/sphpblog_0511/index.php

:P

[Throckmorton]

15. Thanks

I don't live in California, but I would love to install a few of these.

[txlibdem]

9. It's doable and I hope they succeed, and I hope that most states follow their example

Funny how the state that gets derided as "The Left Coast" seems to have the right ideas more often than not.

[One_Life_To_Give]

10. Assuming no New Large Hydro is planned to come online

This is quite impressive assuming that no new large hydro is planned to come online. This represents well more than double the current Geothermal, PV, Solar Thermal, Wind etc.

[Nederland]

11. It is not impressive

It is not impressive--yet. Passing legislation is easy, actually doing what the legislation calls for will be hard. That said, it will be impressive if they pull it off. We will just have to wait and see if this legislation goes the same way their 1990 Zero-emissions vehicle mandate went (as detailed by "Who Killed the Electric Car", that legislation was eventually reversed).