California Senate passes bill to up renewables to 33% of electric supply

[kristopher]

California Senate Passes Bill That Would Require More Renewable Energy


The California Senate has passed legislation that would require private and public utilities to obtain 33% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. S.B.2X would raise the renewable target from the current 20%, while providing the flexibility necessary to meet the higher standard. The measure, which was authored by State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, passed on a vote of 26-11.

According to Simitian, the bill would improve air quality, address climate change, diversify energy sources and bring investment, jobs and tax revenues to California.

S.B.2X is part of a Clean Energy Jobs Initiative that the Democratic leadership in the legislature has pledged to move to the governor's desk as part of the current special session on the budget and economic development.

"I'm hopeful we can establish the 33 percent standard this year," says Simitian. "It needs to get done to send a market signal to energy providers that California is committed to renewables."...

http://www.nawindpower.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.7405

[pinto]

1. Kudos. In light of the challenges in meeting this goal, it appears Simitian

has amended his previous two attempts at raising the standard to provide some more flexibility for energy suppliers.

[txlibdem]

2. Meanwhile the EU is reducing its climate goals... looks like we exported stupidity

The RW leaders in (too many) European nations have taken to austerity measures and now are backing away from subsidies for renewable energy. Wrong moves on both counts. I suppose it will benefit us here in the USA but I'd like to see a little more intelligence from the EU.