Bakersfield Leaders Urge California Lawmakers to Pass SB 100 for 100% Clean Energy

Environment California

Bakersfield – Union members, faith leaders, city officials, farmers, and environmental groups gathered in Bakersfield to urge passage of Senate Bill 100 (De León). SB 100 will ensure that California generates 100% of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2045.
 
“We are 100% ready for 100% clean energy,” said Dan Jacobson, State Director with Environment California. “Clean energy is good for our planet and good for our communities. We must take action now to ensure a 100% clean energy future for California.”
 
Today’s press conference in Bakersfield is part of an eleven city California tour showing support for clean energy and SB 100. 
 
“As Mayor of Arvin, I strongly support SB 100, a bill that will transition California towards 100% renewable energy. The people of the Central Valley have long suffered from environmental and economic injustice, and SB 100 can help mitigate both. Going to 100% percent renewable energy can help provide what Central Valley families need, cleaner air, a safer environment, and better paying jobs. As a Central Valley voter, constituent, and Mayor I strongly urge our Central Valley assembly members to vote yes on SB 100,” said Mayor Jose Gurrola, Arvin, CA.
 
Other states, cities, and universities are also considering moving to 100% clean energy. The state of Hawaii has already passed legislation to get to 100% clean energy by 2045.
 
SB 100 has passed the State Senate and now awaits a vote on the Assembly floor. Action is needed before the legislative session ends for the year on September 15, 2017.
 
“SB100 will help make sure that California continues to lead the way to a cleaner greener energy future,” said Michael Calderon, Recovery Specialist with SEIU 521.  “Moving to renewable and zero-carbon energy is critically important for our future, will create jobs and save money that can be reinvested in quality public services for our communities.”
 
California passed its first clean energy standard in 2002 (Sher). The first law required California energy providers to generate 17% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Subsequent bills have ramped up the clean energy standard. SB 350 (De León) was the last clean energy bill to pass two years ago, requiring that California energy providers generate 50% renewable electricity by 2030.
 
“The rest of the economy needs to embrace renewable energy in the same way as Kern County farmers. We are already pumping water and processing crops with free solar energy and reaping the benefits,” said Tom Franz, a Shafter farmer.
 
California utilities are ahead of the current clean energy goals that have been enshrined in law. According to the California Energy Commission, “California is ahead of schedule for meeting its renewable energy targets. The Energy Commission estimates that about 29 percent of its electricity retail sales in 2016 were served by renewable energy generated from sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and small hydroelectric.”
 
For more information about SB 100, check out the following reports or call Dan Jacobson 916-743-5356.
 
California Energy Commission
http://www.energy.ca.gov/renewables/tracking_progress/documents/renewable.pdf
 
Environment California Research & Policy Center

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