California Sets Bar High for Paris Climate Talks with 50% Clean Energy Law

Media Contacts

Governor signs bill for 50% renewables and doubling of energy efficiency by 2030

Environment California

Los Angeles – Flanked by environmental and environmental justice advocates, business leaders and elected officials, Governor Brown today signed into law Senate Bill 350, authored by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León. This landmark legislation will increase California’s use of renewable energy to 50 percent by 2030 and double the state’s use of energy efficiency in buildings by the same year, critical steps to meeting California’s clean energy and air quality goals and continuing to lead the nation on climate change solutions.

“Today’s signing of SB 350 is huge. Once again, the State of California is acting on the long-held values of Californians for a swift transition to a clean energy future,” said Michelle Kinman, clean energy advocate for Environment California. “Each day, drought, wildfires and record temperatures remind Californians that we must act on climate, and act in a big way. We applaud the Governor and Senator De León for their leadership in setting aggressive renewable energy and energy efficiency goals, protecting our health, environment and economy, and setting a strong example for other states and countries to follow.”

Already, California’s clean energy economy is a success. Over 54,000 Californians are working in the solar industry and $11.7 billion were invested in solar installations statewide in 2014. The signing of SB 350 will ensure that California builds on its clean energy successes to date, spurring innovation, creating local green jobs, and creating cleaner air and a healthier planet for all.

World leaders will meet in Paris in December for an international climate change summit.

“The path to Paris should be paved with concrete actions to cut emissions and invest in clean energy, and the signing of SB 350 is just the type of action that the world needs more of,” said Kinman.

Environment California urges Governor Brown to keep the momentum going by signing SB 185 (De León), which will require California’s public pension funds to divest from coal, and AB 693 (Eggman), which will create a new 10-year program to allow low-income tenants of multifamily affordable housing projects to benefit from on-site solar installations, bringing solar power to low-income renters, all while promoting local jobs, renewable energy, and cleaner air for the state.