New CA legislation will require more renewable energy

[Richard230]

An article in my newspaper titled "Raising the bar on clean energy" by Dana Hull, reports that California's state legislature yesterday approved a new law that will require the state's utilities to obtain 33% of their power from renewal resources by 2020. The law is expected to be signed by Governor (Moonbeam) Brown.

Currently the state's three largest utility companies obtain 18% of their electricity from wind farms, solar power plants, geothermal and biomass facilities. Critics claim that the law will drive up the cost of electrical power in the state.

[frodus]

They argue that, but what happens when they can't generate enough electricity right now?

rolling blackouts/brownouts, power outages or they have to BUY power from places like Oregon, Nevada, Washington in order to keep the grid alive.

Sounds to me like paying a little more to be able to supply your own energy AND harm the environment less is a good idea.

[Richard230]

Our state is so screwed up, no one is going to notice a blackout or two. I would say that it is the thought that counts. If it doesn't work out, the legislature will change the law so that it does work.

[podolefsky]

That gives the utility companies 11 years to dismantle the law. Rest assured, they'll raise prices anyway. They need to pay their lawyers.