By Jeff Byron (with due respect to Clement Clarke Moore) ‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the House Not a legislator was stirring, there was no one to arouse. The bills and the budget were all hung-up with flare In hopes that the new “Guv” soon would be there. But as I look back at this year and the Terminator’s term, I can’t help but wonder, “What did we learn?” For starters, I saw that Governor Schwarzenegger was A leader of substance who produced more than buzz. He pumped-up California from an energy-malaise, And he kept the lights on during his seven-year stay. He addressed climate change, renewables and alt-fuels, Without pay and no presidential-future he set all new rules. The Capitol Christmas tree was lit with a fuel cell And the Big-Oil industry would now make low-carbon fuel well. And while gases of greenhouse are no longer wanted, If only the feds had priced carbon undaunted. Now, C-E-C! Now, I-S-O! Now, C-P-U-C, let’s mix-in Wind power, and solar, and the grid needs a fixin’! The Executive ordered teamwork without guile. Now dash away! Dash away! And continue with style! The energy-year was a mixed blessing of sorts; There was a sleigh-load of solar-projects that limit imports. Tradable RECs were a big hot-potato, That were being spun ‘round like a gale-force tornado. An R-P-S bill could not be made whole. But one thing’s for sure, there’d be no more coal! And a new energy agency came on the scene, The Air Resources Board would now make pow’r green. The Energy Commission was charged with funding from ARRA, With the job of making energy efficiency go even fartha’. While PG&E spent fifty million backing Prop 23, Voters in their territory shouted, “That’s not for me!” Extraordinary efforts of all the stakeholder groups Made transmission planning as easy as jumpin’ through hoops. And let’s not forget regional efforts a plenty, And that transmission plans will need all cognoscenti. Many topics of import were nipped-in-the-bud. Could the C-H-P settlement end all the bad blood? And once-through cooling means coastal plants will be scored And replaced or repowered per the State Water Board. Though energy issues unsettled remain numerous: Procurement, feed-ins, and “need” may seem humorous. But with the efforts of many as they toil for solution To make energy cleaner, will reduce future pollution. It’s been an extraordinary time to serve this great state And with all the state agencies who carry the weight. I can’t thank my colleagues enough for their work, But I know how government can drive one berserk. So, I’ll take my chances and return to the biz-side, Knowing that they and the government frequently collide. And I’ll always remember the great experience I had, Standing with a legion of those akin to Sir Galahad. And as the new Governor springs to his sleigh, I know “climate” and “energy” will be part of the fray. I heard Gov. Brown ’claim, as he drove his old Plymouth into sight, “Happy Christmas to all, now let’s take to new heights!” --Jeff Byron served for the past five years as California Energy Commissioner. Edited By:
