Crossposted at the Greenpower blog.
Trump can pull out of the Paris Agreement, but he cannot triumph over the ambitions of the Golden State. California is eagerly challenging the federal government with strong new climate legislation. SB 49 prohibits the reduction of clean air, clean water, and endangered species regulations regardless of federal action, and SB 50 gives the state the right to a first refusal if federally owned land is proposed for resource extraction.
A new bill, SB 100, passed the state senate on May 30, 2017. Proposed by Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin De Leon of the 24th district, the bill would enhance California’s already groundbreaking goal of procuring 50% of all energy generated from renewable sources by 2030 to 50% by 2026, 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2045. The bill has already been endorsed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). SB 100 was read on the Assembly Floor June 1, and currently resides in the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy where it will be read at a July 5th hearing.
If you are a resident, you can help California achieve 100% renewable energy by telling members of the Assembly Energy Committee that you want them to Vote YES on SB 100. Send your message here today!
SB 100 amends sections 399.11, 399.15, and 399.30 of the Public Utilities Code relating to energy. The legislature dictates that the Energy Commission must implement the California Renewable Portfolio Standard Program, which mandates retailers procure various electricity products from renewable energy sources in order to achieve the 100% renewable energy goal. The bill does not specify how it will integrate renewable sources, but states new electric transmission facilities “may be necessary.” However, it does create stricter requirements for retailers and governing boards of local publicly owned electric utilities by setting legally binding compliance periods. Local governing boards must implement this plan by 2019. The requirements for retail sellers have already been established by the Energy Commission.
Failure of retail sellers to achieve these standards will result in penalties collected in the Electric Program Investment Charge Fund, and will not be reflected in rates to consumers. Failure of locally owned governing boards to meet these standards will result in penalties collected by the Air Pollution Control Fund.
"This measure will ensure that California remains the world’s clean energy superpower and that we lead the nation in addressing the threat of climate change." —SENATOR DE LEÓN
California stands resiliently at the forefront of the national fight against climate change through its groundbreaking advancements in clean energy and local action. Legislation like SB 100 is an important step for the clean energy revolution. We encourage all California residents to inspire a YES vote in the state legislature.