On April 12, 2011, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law SBX1-2 mandating the state adopt a thirty-three percent renewable portfolio standard (“RPS”) by the year 2020. The bill passed the state assembly on March 29, 2011 (see April 1, 2011 edition of the WER). Governor Brown signed the bill into law at a dedication ceremony for a new solar photovoltaic facility in San Jose, California. Governor Brown gave an optimistic statement about the future of renewable energy in the state, and said the thirty-three percent RPS is just the beginning. However, there is some concern among the industry since meeting the new RPS may require a tripling of renewable energy in the state according to a 2009 California Public Utilities Commission analysis.
A press release from Governor Brown’s office is available here.