Legislation creating a statutory 33 percent renewables portfolio mandate was expected to be signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown after press time with little fanfare. SBX1 2 by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) cleared its final legislative hurdle March 29 when it passed the Assembly on a 59-19 vote. “This is a huge clean energy victory,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, clean energy advocate with Environment California. In addition to alternative energy advocates, utilities supported the bill--although some more than others. “[I]t strikes the right balance of cost containment, equal rules, broad markets and flexible compliance,” stated Southern California Edison spokesperson Vanessa McGrady. Independent power producers also applauded the measure’s success because “it will increase competition,” according to Jan Smutny-Jones, Independent Energy Producers Association executive director. Although Pacific Gas & Electric welcomed SBX1 2’s passage, it continued to insist on the need for flexibility to meet its mandates to reduce cost impacts. PG&E reiterated its call to eliminate the provision limiting renewable contracts that can be “banked”--counted and carried forward because the supplies exceed the rising renewable mandate. The bill limits banking to power supply contracts of 10 years or more. The utility also wants restrictions on the use of out-of-state renewable energy credits loosened. Smutny-Jones questioned PG&E’s call for cost control, noting it owns one of the “most expensive photovoltaic deals.” The legislation requires private and public utilities to increase the amount of their renewable supplies to 25 percent in 2016 and to 33 percent of their portfolios by 2020. It prioritizes energy supplies, giving first place to in-state renewable supplies and last to out-of-state deals reflecting the green attribute of an alternative energy facility (Current, Feb. 18, 2011). The bill gives the California Public Utilities Commission the authority to cap costs for utility ratepayers. It also provides utilities and other energy service firms an out if they miss the bill’s renewable mandate due to lack of transmission or non-performing contracts.