ISSUES
100% Renewable Electricity
Our organization led the effort to pass SB100 in 2018, the bill that commits the state to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2045. However, with President Biden calling for 100% by 2035 nationally, it's up to California to set an even more ambitious goal and continue to lead. If we can do it, other states will too. We're calling on Governor Newsom to commit the state to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. To support a smooth and quick transition, we're supporting policies that will bolster our clean energy production capacity and lead us into the future. |
Offshore Wind (AB 525)
California has great potential for offshore wind, if used optimally, it could provide up to 25% of California's electricity. Offshore wind is expected to support over 17,500 well paying jobs in 2045, and could provide up to $2 billion in savings for California electricity customers. And, not a single western state is tapping into offshore wind's potential. We will be lobbying in support of the development of offshore wind of the Northern and Central coasts of California. AB 525 would require the California Energy Commission to make a plan for installing the state's offshore wind. Under the bill, the plan must achieve at least 3 gigawatts (gw) of electricity from offshore wind by 2030 and 10 gw of electricity from offshore wind by 2040. |
Clean Vehicles
Governor Newsom's executive order to phase out gasoline powered cars by 2035 is a major step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation which is currently the largest source of emissions in California. In order to meet charging demands for electric vehicles, the California Energy Commission estimates that we need to have 1.5 million charging stations available across the state by 2030. We will lobby in support of more charging stations, and the passage of the proposed $1.5 billion dollars in the Governor's annual budget for EV infrastrcuture. |
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Distributed Solar (SB 617)
Distributed solar provides benefits beyond clean energy--it can act as a backup during blackouts, reduce the need for long-distance grid infrastructure, and help prevent electricity peaks from impacting the grid. Starting last year, all new buildings are required to install solar panels. However, public policy still creates barriers for those who want to install solar on their roofs. We will lobby in support of using innovative technology to help streamline the permitting process for homeowners, so any who wants to can put solar panels on their roofs and capture their own clean energy. SB 617 would implement the use of an automated permitting system for rooftop solar, such as SolarAPP+. The city of San Jose saw a 600% increase in approved permits since they started using a permitting app in 2016. |