California Continues Support for Climate Change Legislation

The California Public Utilities Commission has voted unanimously to adopt rules that will promote long-term investments in electrical generation from more eco-friendly sources. The new policies call for all future investment in power generation to adhere to strict standards of low carbon dioxide emissions for all plants both in the state, and those plants in other states that wish to sell power to California. These new rules are part of California's commitment to be at the forefront of climate change initiatives and legislation.

When Governor Schwarzenegger signed the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance Standard Act (State Bill 1368) last fall, the CPUC was obliged to adopt new rules to promote more responsible power generation in the State for all privately-owned utilities. The Bill also calls for the California Energy Commission to begin regulation of state and municipal-owned utilities by June 30, 2007. The State is currently working on plans to develop new energy solutions for the future, and as those decisions will have an impact for the next half-century, the stakes are high, both for California residents and lawmakers.

California made news in 2006 when the Global Warming Solutions Act was passed and signed into law. It stands as the first statewide initiative in the United States that both acknowledges and plans action to combat climate change. It is considered by some environmental groups to be an important first step in spurring the Federal Government to follow suit and pass stronge legislation to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, the main culpit in the growing issue of global warming and climate deterioration.

California's energy plan currently does allow for more coal-powered plants being built and many are in the development phases presently, but the new rules passed by the CPUC and soon to be followed by the CEC, will insure that all future plants will have to follow strict guidelines that demand that coal-fired plants will have to meet the same lower-emissions levels of the cleaner natural gas-fired plants. Furthermore, the same guidelines will be used in purchasing power from plants outside of the State.

A spokesperson for the Natural Resources Defense Council commends the CPUC for "ensuring that utilities make long-term commitments to clean energy sources, the commission is shielding California families against hundreds of millions of dollars in extra costs associated with future regulation of global warming pollution." Audrey Chang, staff scientist at the NRDC, states that the "CPUC has established clear rules that will help give utilities business certainty on the investments needed to provide clean, reliable energy to California families and businesses."