California launched an ambitious effort Wednesday to expand
renewable energy and increase energy efficiency, advancing Gov. Jerry Brown's
plans for battling climate change.
Brown signed the new goals into law at Griffith Observatory,
where the panoramic view of smog across the Los Angeles Basin provided a
reminder of the work to be done.
Although the state's air quality has improved over the
years, Brown said, more must be done to improve Californians' health, and the
state must continue setting the standard for halting global warming.
“We are talking about the big world of avoiding climate
catastrophe, but we are talking about the immediate world of people living in
Riverside, Los Angeles and other places,” Brown said. “This is big. It is big
because it is global in scope, but it is also big because it is local in
application.”
Under the legislation, which builds upon standards already
on the books, California will need to generate half of its electricity from
renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2030. At the same time, the state
will need to double energy efficiency in homes, offices and factories.
A third goal, cutting gasoline use in half, was removed from
the bill amid stiff opposition from oil companies and a failure to win enough
support among Democrats. The debate dominated the final days of the legislative
session last month, resulting in a defeat for Brown and the bill's author,
state Senate leader Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles).
Nevertheless, De León hailed the legislation as a landmark
in California's environmental efforts.
“We are doing away with the tired old stereotypes of
environmentalism as a pastime of the wealthy and the elite,” De León said.
“Soon, whether you live in Boyle Heights or Beverly Hills, Modesto or Marin,
Sausalito or Santa Ana, Sacramento or Logan Heights, San Diego, you will have
the same access to clean electricity and clean air.”
Besides the renewable energy and efficiency goals, the new
law will make other changes to boost clean power.
It begins laying the groundwork for a regional electricity
grid, which could make renewable energy more available throughout the West. And
it creates incentives for utilities to install additional charging stations for
electric vehicles, an effort to make drivers more comfortable shifting away from
gasoline.
“Charging stations will be as ubiquitous as gas stations
are,” De León said. “Now one industry can't monopolize the transportation fuel
supply.”
California is redoubling its environmental efforts less than
three months before world leaders gather in Paris for a United Nations summit
to create a new global pact for fighting climate change.
Brown said it would be an enormous challenge to shift the
world away from the fossil fuels that have been the source of so much economic
growth.
“This is going to be a long march to transition the entire
modern world to a decarbonized future,” he said. “It's important, and we're
doing it in California.”
The state's new target for renewable energy is expected to
stimulate the development of more solar and wind power plants. But it will also
raise new challenges because renewable energy can be unreliable; it's not
always possible to predict when the sun will shine or the wind will blow.
Experts say California will need to invest in storage
technology and other initiatives to ensure that the right amount of electricity
is available when it's needed.
“We have absolutely no doubt that we'll be able to get
there,” said Geisha Williams, president of electric operations at Pacific Gas
& Electric, one of the state's largest utilities. “We have a real
opportunity to create a model that other states and nations can follow.”
Williams said it's possible that the legislation could end
up boosting electricity rates, but supporters say renewable energy prices are
dropping and new efficiency targets would help keep bills stable overall.
The state will also need to become twice as energy efficient
by 2030 under the new law. For existing buildings, that could include
installing newer appliances or improving heating and air conditioning systems.
Andrew McAllister, a member of the California Energy
Commission, said older apartment buildings would be particularly challenging.
“What we're trying to do is facilitate, where necessary, the
marketplace for energy efficiency, for building upgrades, for remodels,” he
said.
Even though the goal of reducing gasoline use was not
included in the final legislation, SB 350, Brown plans to use his executive
power to keep working on the issue. Much of his authority rests with the Air
Resources Board, a regulatory agency — a source of controversy during last
month's debate.
During Wednesday's ceremony, Brown said he was glad the
board was powerful. He joked, “I love the Legislature but I don't want to
entrust you with too much power.”
He said to lawmakers seated in the front row, “You can check
in every now and then.”
De León, who has wanted more legislative oversight of air
regulators, called out, “Quit while you're ahead.”
“I will,” Brown responded. “I understand it's a little bit
of a controversy.”
Another bill awaiting the governor's signature or veto would
expand the Air Resources Board to include two more members, appointed by
legislative leaders, to represent communities suffering from pollution.
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