Last week, California became the first state to enact smart grid legislation (Senate Bill 17). The law is the first of its kind to be passed by a state in order to advance the progress of updating our electrical grid. The bill requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to outline a specific smart grid deployment plan by July 2010. In addition, all electric utilities with more than 100,000 customers must submit a smart grid strategy plan by July 1, 2011. Wanting to help California meet its aggressive renewable energy targets, State Senator Alex Padilla (D- San Fernando Valley) sponsored the bill with the hopes of implementing an advanced and digitalized electrical grid to deliver cleaner power in a more efficient and reliable way. He said, "with SB 17 in place, a 21st century grid could be realized in California within the next five to ten years, allowing for a fundamental change in the way we think about, and use, electricity. It would also help jump start a new energy economy, creating green technologies and green collar jobs."
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