How a New California Law Will Expand the State’s Competitive Energy Market

Commercial and institutional customers can now buy more power from competitive retail providers, while regulators are set to explore further program expansion.

California has put multiple major energy policies into law this year: SB 100 and its new 100 percent clean energy mandate, SB 700 and its extension of behind-the-meter energy storage incentives, and wildfire utility relief bill AB 901. So it was easy to overlook another piece of legislation, signed into law last week, that will expand the state’s competitive energy market, known as direct access. 

New California Law Revises Electricity Rates, Cements Renewable Mandates

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation making sweeping changes to California’s electricity rate structure and cementing stringent renewable power mandates.

California Bills for Biogas

As part of the package of 19 clean energy bills that California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law on September 27, there are three in particular that will provide a boost to anaerobic digestion and biogas projects in the state.

The first of these, SB 1122, will require electric utilities to purchase in aggregate 250 MW of capacity from bioenergy projects that commence operation on or after June 1, 2013.

California Governor signs 19 renewable energy bills

Gov. Jerry Brown signed 19 bills Thursday aimed at making it easier to provide renewable energy and conserve power in California.

The bills include  a measure by Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) that directs the state to coordinate implementation of policies advancing energy security with the Department of Defense.

California key energy policy draft report available for comment

The following information was released by the California Energy Commission:

The California Energy Commission has released a preliminary draft of its 2011 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR). The report, the state's main energy planning document, discusses the wide variety of issues facing California's energy sector. The draft report provides recommendations to ensure reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound supplies of electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuels to meet the needs of the state's economy and growing population.

California Gov. Brown signs renewable energy bill

Yolo County Senator Lois Wolk scored a win and a loss when Gov. Jerry Brown signed off on legislation to increase access to renewable energy, but vetoed a bill that would have restricted tax breaks and overhauled the state's budgeting system.

Could Wyoming wind power California?

A new federally funded study argues that wind energy from Wyoming is the most cost-effective method to help California meet its growing energy needs.

California's current policy is to rely on in-state projects to achieve its mandated renewable energy demands.

CA bill explores renewable energy via traffic

L.A.'s much-loathed, incessant traffic may actually benefit society and the environment should Governor Jerry Brown pass a renewable energy bill by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake). The bill would require the California Energy Commission - the state's primary energy policy and planning agency - to explore generating green electricity from passing cars, trucks and trains.

California adopts new green energy laws

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed three bills into law meant to encourage the use of solar energy and other renewable resources in the nation's most populated state.

The governor went to Marshall Elementary School in Fowler, Calif., on Thursday to showcase the beneficiaries of SB 585, which helps school districts finance solar installations on school buildings through a $200 million grant to the California Solar Initiative.

California bills streamline solar project permitting

California’s legislature has sent a trio of bills, S.B. 267, S.B. 16 and A.B. X1 13, to Gov. Jerry Brown’s (D) office to streamline the permitting process for large-scale renewable energy projects. The bills were popular among both parties and provided certainty for project developers, and Brown is expected to sign them.

Biden calls for new clean energy policy for US

The United States can't lead the world in the 21st century with its current energy policy, Vice President Joe Biden told alternative technology supporters Tuesday at a clean energy summit in Las Vegas.

California law to let corporations accept duty to benefit environment, society

California lawmakers sent a bill (A.B. 361) to the governor Aug. 29 that would establish a class of corporations with legal commitments to benefit society and the environment.

Backed by dozens of “green” businesses and advocacy groups, A.B. 361 would clear the way for the formation of “benefit corporations” with a fiduciary duty to have a positive effect on society and the environment as well as to produce shareholder value.

Gov. Brown signs renewable energy legislation that could mean jobs

A renewable energy bill that could push clean-energy development and green jobs in the state’s desert regions was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday

The law ABx1 13, sponsored by Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez, “streamlines” the permitting process for renewable energy projects within the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, according to a press release.

Gov. Brown seeks to extend California energy surcharge

In a major effort to create more high-tech jobs, Gov. Jerry Brown is sponsoring legislation to extend a state program that collects about $400 million a year from utility customers and invests it in renewable energy and efficiency programs.

The surcharge, added to monthly electric bills since 1997, is set to expire at the end of the year, and the Legislature has only two weeks to reauthorize the levy.

33% of CA's electricity must come from renewables by 2020

Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Tuesday a mandate that 33% of electricity in California must come from renewable sources by 2020. Executives at solar, wind and other clean energy companies said the new regulations could help California reclaim its green leadership position after losing ground to states such as Texas and Iowa.

Energy bills vetoed by Schwarzenegger fit the floor once more

Dozens of proposals vetoed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are zooming through the Legislature anew, with the ruling Democrats hoping Jerry Brown will sign them.

But getting the governor on board may not be easy.

CA groundbreaking climate law put on hold

A San Francisco superior court judge has put California's sweeping plan to curb greenhouse gas pollution on hold, saying the state did not adequately evaluate alternatives to its cap-and-trade program.

In a 35-page decision, Judge Ernest H. Goldsmith said the Air Resources Board had failed to consider public comments on the proposed measures before adopting the plan, which affects a broad swath of the state's economy.