With the approval of S.B.100 by the California Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, the Golden State has taken a step closer to establishing a 100% clean energy goal.
The bill, which has already been approved by the Senate, was passed on Wednesday by a 10-4 vote.
Sponsored by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, the legislation would speed up the state’s current renewables mandate of 50% by 2030 to 50% by 2026, as well as establish goals of 60% by 2030 and, ultimately, 100% by 2045.
If it becomes law, S.B.100 would put California on par with Hawaii, the only other state with a 100% renewable portfolio standard (RPS), the Sierra Club points out.
“While the federal government abandons its commitments to clean energy, California is showing that we will continue to drive the transition away from fossil fuels,” states Kathryn Phillips, director of Sierra Club California.
Citing the Hawaii House of Representatives, the Sierra Club says progress toward meeting Hawaii’s 100%-by-2045 RPS has already saved the state “over a quarter of a billion dollars by reducing reliance on more expensive fossil fuels.”
Phillips adds, “Now that S.B.100 has passed the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, it is critical to move it quickly to the floor and the governor’s desk.”
The Sierra Club says eight California cities have already committed to transition to 100% clean energy; Santa Barbara recently became the 37th U.S. city to adopt this goal.
