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The Governor Gray Davis Digital Library is a historical collection comprised of official documents which were accurate at the time of their public release. Events, statistics and other information referred to herein might no longer be operative.


PR02: 444

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 19, 2002

 

Governor Davis commends LEGISLATORS FOR OVERCOMING IMPASSE ON ENERGY LEGISLATION

Ambitious Plan Once Again Places State as Leader in Clean Energy Movement

 

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gray Davis today praised the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee for resolving key issues on a landmark renewable energy bill.

 

"California is the nation's leader in renewable energy - and we intend to keep that title," Governor Davis said. "The benefits of using renewable energy include the reduction of electricity market volatility by cutting California's reliance on natural gas; retiring old fossil-fuel fired plants that are particularly dirty and inefficient; reduced pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; and a net benefit to the state's economy worth billions of dollars due to job creation and more energy expenditures remaining in California - instead of going elsewhere."

 

Gov. Davis and his administration have long supported the issue of clean energy, encouraging legislators to negotiate in good faith and move the bill to his desk for signature. Gov. Davis sent a letter to the committee this morning asking for its support.

 

SB 1078, by Senator Byron Sher (D - Palo Alto), requires the amount of renewable energy purchased by the state's utilities and other energy providers to increase to 20 percent. This constitutes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard, or RPS.

 

Governor Davis expressed his appreciation to members of the committee, in particular Sen. Sher and Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee Chair Roderick Wright (D - South Central Los Angeles), for their work.

 

In addition the committee passed SB 1038, also by Sen. Sher, which provides the legislative approval necessary for the California Energy Commission (CEC) to expend funds for its Renewable Energy Program and the Public Interest Energy Research Investment Plan. These programs are critical to the development of renewable energy in California and will bolster the state's already impressive record in support of renewables. SB 1038 is a Davis administration-sponsored bill.

 

Both bills now go to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee for a vote.

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