Gov Pushes Brown over Green Power

Although Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken a strong pro-renewables stance, there was little evidence of that in his January 5 ?State of the State? speech. Instead of promoting his ?Million Solar Systems? initiative and other projects for developing green power, the governor emphasized the need for more power plants and transmission lines. The state must have ?abundant and cheap power,? he insisted during his brief mention of energy issues during his 30-minute talk. While the speech noted that California is a leader in conserving power, ?We cannot conserve our way out of our long-term energy crunch,? according to the governor. Renewables are seen as part of the mix but were mentioned only in passing and overshadowed by the call for more power plants ?as soon as possible.? Without specifically citing California Public Utilities Commission decisions advancing resource-adequacy requirements to 2006 and approving the utilities? long-term procurement plans, he mentioned that reserves are rising and prospects for long-term contracts are brighter. ?Governor Schwarzenegger called for big ideas. His goal of building a million [solar] homes comes closest to solving California?s biggest environmental and energy problems,? said Bernadette del Chiaro, clean energy advocate for Environment California. ?While the governor?s support of solar power is laudable, he should be rushing to build solar homes rather than more polluting fossil-fuel plants.? Senator Martha Escutia (D-Whittier), the new chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee, noted several important issues missing from the governor?s ?energy to-do list.? She said those include preventing blackouts, particularly in Southern California, requiring open policy making at the CPUC, lowering ?excessive rates,? and getting more refunds from energy companies that allegedly gouged ratepayers during the energy crisis.

Over 11K Stories!

| Independently Powered Energy News

Gov Pushes Brown over Green Power

vdharadmin

Related Posts

Auld Lang Zine

PacifiCorp to Join ISO’s Proposed Expanded Day Ahead Market, Adding Regional Grid Momentum

Daily Energy Costs $100M in September

What Goes Up in 2004 Goes Up in 2005