Argus reported that California has adopted an ambitious new standard stating that one third of all electricity sold in the state must come from renewable sources by 2020.
As per report, the 33% renewable electricity standard was adopted unanimously at a meeting of the California Air Resources Board yesterday and applies to all large entities that deliver electricity. It will build upon the existing renewable portfolio standard that sets a 20% by 2010 target, but the RES will pull in more entities than just the investor owned utilities covered by the 20% standard.
California's RES is far stricter than a bill unveiled this week by Senators Mr Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) and Mr Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) which calls for a 15% national standard by 2021. The Bingaman bill would allow state standards to remain in place if they are stricter than the national standard.
According to an ARB statement, California's RES is also the most ambitious in the country, followed by Colorado with 30% of energy to be sourced from renewable by 2020. California has opted for a phased in approach with a target of 20% in 2012-2014; 24% in 2015-2017; 28% in 2018-2019 and 33% from 2020.
Work on the state's new RES began after Governor Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger's issued an executive order on September 15th 2009. The new RES regulation is the product of co ordination and co operation by ARB, the California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission and California Independent System Operator.
ARB said that the 33% RES goal was also a major measure in the Scoping Plan, adopted by ARB in December 2008 to meet the goals set by AB 32, California's law requiring the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. By 2020 the new regulation will eliminate the equivalent of at least 12 million tones per year of carbon dioxide, making it one of AB 32's largest emission reduction strategies.
Ms Mary Nichols chair of ARB said that the RES will help reduce smog pollution and bring new solar and wind energy facilities to California with thousands of jobs and spin off industries. She added that “This standard is going to further diversify and secure our energy supply while also growing California's leading green technology market, which will lead to cost savings for consumers.”
(Sourced from www.argusmedia.com)
