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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