Statement on Governor’s Renewable Energy Executive Order
Media Contacts
Environment California
Bernadette Del Chiaro, Clean Energy Advocate
Sacramento – There is no question that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. The legislature passed a good renewable energy package with SB 14 and AB 64 that would have made a 33% by 2020 renewable electricity standard law. It is for this reason that we urge the governor to reconsider his veto and sign these bills.
That said, the governor has clearly stated his intention to veto AB 64 and SB 14, and is issuing an Executive Order directing the Air Resources Board to develop regulations to essentially accomplish the same result as mandating 33% renewable energy via a renewable portfolio standard.
The Executive Order sets in motion what would ultimately happen via AB 32, namely ARB approved regulations governing the expansion of renewable electricity in California as one of the most powerful ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions now, up to and beyond 2020.
Ultimately, California’s top political leaders and policy makers have made it clear that they are committed to expanding renewable electricity in California and to achieving the big bold goal of getting a third of the state’s electricity from renewable resources like wind and solar power within the next ten years. California’s leaders will have to work together to accomplish this goal, to help solve global warming and to put America on the path to a clean energy future.
We thank the Senate and Assembly for prioritizing clean energy and passing a strong clean energy mandate. We urge the governor to sign the package of clean energy bills heading to his desk. And we look forward to working with the Governor, his Administration, and the legislature in continuing California’s clean energy and global warming leadership through the Executive Order as well as future legislation.
