Graphics: Jessica Craven – Chop Wood, Carry Water
Action – Stop the shenanigans going on in Sacramento!
Some legislators are trying a sneaky workaround to gut SB 100, – “CA Renewables Portfolio Standard Program (RPS): emissions of greenhouse gases“, the landmark climate bill signed into law last year. More information on SB 100 here. and this memory refresher video …
SB 386, which passed through the Senate Energy Committee last week, would effectively gut and undermine SB 100 by allowing electricity generated from EXISTING LARGE HYDRO DAMS to count towards the 60% renewable energy standard established under SB 100. Since the irrigation districts are already fully sourced, this means they can take credit for their hydro, and then sell off their existing “Renewable Portfolio Standards” (RPS) compliant resources, which effectively guts SB 350 and SB 100. If they can count existing large hydro, there are no new renewable resources needed.
This bill does not need to go through appropriations and our environmental watchdogs are afraid its proponents may just take it up to the Senate floor very quickly to try to move it before people notice.
Call your state senator first thing in the morning and tell them we noticed this gaming of our future.
Minimal script: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want Sen. [___] to vote NO ON SB 386, a bill that would effectively gut the renewable energy goals set forth in SB 100 by allowing large hydro dams to count toward the standard. Climate change is an emergency and I expect California to lead the way in environmental reform, not undermine our own progress.
Contact:
State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (SD-19): SAC (916) 651-4019 email
Not sure who your state senator is? Check here.
History of the California Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS)
- (cpuc.ca.gov/rps/) The California RPS program was established in 2002 by Senate Bill (SB) 1078 (Sher, 2002) with the initial requirement that 20% of electricity retail sales must be served by renewable resources by 2017.
- The program was accelerated in 2006 under SB 107 (Simitian, 2006), which required that the 20% mandate be met by 2010.
- In April 2011, SB 2 (1X) (Simitian) was signed into law, which codified a 33% RPS requirement to be achieved by 2020.
- In 2015, SB 350 (de León, 2015) was signed into law, which mandated a 50% RPS by December 31, 2030. SB 350 includes interim annual RPS targets with three-year compliance periods. In addition, SB 350 requires 65% of RPS procurement must be derived from long-term contracts of 10 or more years.
- In 2018, SB 100 (de León, 2018) was signed into law, which again increases the RPS to 60% by 2030 and requires all state’s electricity to come from carbon-free resources by 2045. SB 100 will take effect on January 1, 2019.
INDIVISIBLE VENTURA 