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California Senate votes for stronger renewable energy mandate


Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times

The state Senate voted today to require private utilities to get 33% of their energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind power by the year 2020, despite complaints from many lawmakers that it will cost ratepayers $1.8 billion more annually. [...]

Less than a year after California voters rejected a ballot measure to increase the mandate to 50% by 2025, Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has authored SB 14, which would require 33% by 2020. The standard mirrors the level set in an executive order issued by the governor in November.

“We ought to be doing this because it’s going to clean up the air,” Simitian said during a more than hour-long debate. “We ought to be doing this because it will address climate change.”

Full article on LA Times website