AEE Applauds Governor Brown's Signing of California Law Requiring 100% Clean Energy by 2045
SACRAMENTO, Sept. 10, 2018 — Today national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) applauded California Governor Brown's announcement about signing SB 100*, a bill passed by the state legislature requiring California’s electricity providers to achieve a 100% clean and zero-carbon goal by 2045. Specifically, the law calls for increasing the state's current Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 60% by 2030 and requiring the remaining 40% to be met by all eligible zero-carbon emitting resources. Authored by State Senator and former Pro Tem Kevin De León, this bill makes California the second state after Hawaii to set a 100% clean energy goal.
“We applaud the governor for his support to make a 100% clean energy grid a reality for our great state, and demonstrating California's global leadership for a secure, clean, affordable energy future,” said Amisha Rai, Senior Director of California Policy for AEE. "This clean energy bill is also a big win for our economy and jobs, as we have already demonstrated here in California that we can improve our energy resources while making a positive economic impact."
AEE supported SB 100, along with several other bills this session, including EV charging infrastructure bill AB 2127*, and a bill to expand the market for advanced energy through an integrated Western grid.
The bill passage came soon after AEE’s Aug. 8 Pathway to 2050 conference and Aug. 7 Lobby Day at the state Capitol, and release of the latest employment data showing that California has more than 542,000 people working in advanced energy — a figure that exceeds the number of workers in hospitals (395,419), and nearly twice as many as those working at supermarkets and grocery stores (297,167) across the state. Companies surveyed expect their hiring to result in job growth of 10% across the state in 2018. California is the clear leader in advanced energy employment nationally, with more than one in every six of the 3.4 million people working in U.S. advanced energy located in California.
Earlier this year, AEE members met with gubernatorial campaigns ahead of the state primary, and released a policy roadmap to the campaigns of Democratic nominee Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Republican nominee John Cox outlining how advanced energy can drive economic growth in the state.
*Note: Access the latest bill language and action including votes, via AEE’s PowerSuite Tool with a trial subscription. Complimentary permanent access available for credentialed press; contact mhanis@aee.net.
About Advanced Energy Economy
Advanced Energy Economy is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. AEE and its state and regional partner organizations are active in 27 states across the country, representing more than 1,000 companies and organizations in the advanced energy industry. Learn more at www.aee.net and track our latest news @AEEnet.