Legislature approves 33 percent renewable portfolio standard

On March 29 the state Assembly passed the renewable portfolio standard bill (S.B. 2X). The Senate had passed the measure in February. The bill now goes to Gov. Brown for his signature. Brown has expressed support for codifying the 33 percent renewable energy target by 2020 that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted last year.

This bill is the fourth attempt to pass legislation with a 33 percent standard. Two previous versions were vetoed by then-Governor Schwarzenegger because he thought restrictions on imports of renewable electricity in the bill would lead to higher costs. This version contains no limits on renewable electricity from other states as long as the power is delivered in real time with a direct grid connection.