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

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Environment California

Fresno – Union members, faith leaders, public health champions, city officials, green businesses, and environmental groups gathered in Fresno 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 is part of an eleven city California tour showing support for clean energy and SB 100. 
 
“As the Mayor of Huron, I’m 100% ready for clean energy. For too long our cities and towns in the Central Valley have been choked with poison air. We simply can’t pass this legacy on to our kids. Especially, when we have the tools to get to clean energy and clean air. I support SB 100 because it means clean air for our kids,” said Ray Leon, Mayor of Huron.
 
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.
 
“Senate Bill 100 will help ensure that California continues to reap the economic benefits of being a global subnational climate leader,” said Sean Lynch, Executive Board Member for the Communication Workers of America, Local 9408. “Moreover, enacting these policies will, over time, help to significantly mitigate the toxic environmental injustice impacts experienced by thousands of  CWA members and their families.”
 
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.
 
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.”
 
Kevin Dillon is co-founder, CMO and CSO of ERI- Electronic Recyclers International, Fresno-headquartered company that is the largest recycler of electronics in the nation. “As a large Fresno area employer and a green organization, ERI wholeheartedly supports California’s commitment to accelerate the development, deployment and investment in clean energy,” said Dillon. “This is an important initiative that will create jobs and economic opportunities, and we are 100% behind it!”
 
For more information about SB 100 check out the following reports or call Dan Jacobson.
 
California Energy Commission

Tracking Progress
 
Environment California Research & Policy Center

We Have the Power
Renewables on the Rise