In This Update:

Gov. Brown appoints consumer advocate to CPUC; RENEWABLE ENERGY FOCUS Obama says 80% of U.S. energy to be from renewables by 2035; DOE, DOC to continue renewable energy partnership; Expert: SRECs have potential to outpace FITs in U.S. solar market; State debt could dampen California solar industry; PV inverter market to hit $8.5B by 2014: report; Energy producer group opposed CPUC limit on out-of-state REC market; Lawsuit against Ivanpah solar project could also halt rare earths mine; Analysis: windpower marketing label misleading; U.S. wind industry suffered downturn in 2010; NOTABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS AND DEALS 230MW Kern County solar project set to start; SolarCity buys Maryland solar facility; Marin County energy agency buys more renewable power; Enfinity starts work on three California solar projects; and Officials hear public comments on proposed 250MW Carrizo Plain solar project.

Gov. Brown appoints consumer advocate to CPUC

San Francisco Chronicle - Jan 26

California governor Jerry Brown has appointed longtime consumer advocate and law professor Mike Florio to the California Public Utilities Commission. Florio's presence on the panel is widely expected to help balance the commission's approach to policy. Brown also appointed telecommunications attorney Catherine Sandoval to the panel.