The California Energy Commission (CEC) last Friday released a draft strategic plan for offshore wind development, which estimates a potential generation capacity of up to 59.6 GW off the state’s coast and lays out strategies...more
Governor Newsom, on October 7, 2023, signed AB 1373 into law. The bill authorizes the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to serve as a central procurement entity to procure diverse clean energy resources in order to help the...more
The auction: First of its kind for five West Coast offshore lease areas - The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), completed its first west coast offshore wind lease auction on Wednesday.1 The auction covered...more
The California Energy Commission (CEC), on August 10, adopted a report establishing offshore wind planning targets of 2-5 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045. An earlier draft report in May had proposed planning goals of...more
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 205 into law on June 30, 2022. This legislative effort significantly expands the California Energy Commission (CEC)’s jurisdiction and encourages the development of new clean energy projects....more
A controversial new law gives the California Energy Commission authority over clean energy projects and authorizes the Department of Water Resources to fund new energy sources and extend the life of existing power plants. ...more
On May 18, 2022, the California Energy Commission met to discuss its draft report to evaluate and quantify the maximum feasible capacity of offshore wind to achieve reliability, ratepayer, employment, and decarbonization...more
On January 31, 2022, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) issued its first ever 20-year draft transmission outlook, which identifies $30.5 billion in long-term infrastructure upgrades and build-outs needed to...more
The California Legislature on Sept. 9, 2021, approved landmark state legislation to facilitate California's offshore wind energy potential. Assembly Bill (AB) 525 requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to prepare a...more
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has continued its efforts to implement Governor Newsom’s July 30, 2021 Emergency Proclamation, which was intended to free up energy supply to meet demand during extreme heat events and...more
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the first community solar program as a means of complying with California’s solar mandate. Specifically, on February 20, 2020, following a three-hour hearing with many...more
On May 15, 2019, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved approximately $11 million for clean energy demonstration projects that include biofuels, renewable gas, and microgrids. Funded by CEC’s Alternative and...more
Renewable Energy Focus - California Senate leader puts 100% renewable energy on the table in new legislation - Los Angeles Times - Feb 21 - Senate leader Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) is proposing...more
Renewable Energy Focus - California’s biggest utilities break own record for solar power Sacramento Bee - Jul 15 - California’s booming solar industry had a record day last week when the state’s largest utilities...more
Renewable Energy Focus - President Obama requests significant funding boost for clean energy R&D - Solar Industry Magazine - Feb 9 - President Barack Obama’s 2017 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of...more
Renewable Energy Focus - Carbon war erupts between states over Obama power plan - Bloomberg: - Nov 4: In the era of global climate change, the phrase “war between the states” has taken on a new dimension. An 18-state...more
California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 350, the “Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015” on October 7, 2015. SB 350 reflects some of Governor Brown’s bold commitments from his inaugural speech...more
Two out of three ain’t bad. Climate change policy advocates may find themselves quoting Meat Loaf with the enactment of Senate Bill (SB) 350, which California’s Legislature passed last month and which Governor Jerry...more
Renewable Energy Focus - Obama commits $4 billion to form clean energy investment clearinghouse: The Guardian - Jun 16: With $4 billion and a new government office, the White House has unveiled its latest clean energy...more