The California Senate passed SBX1 2 on a 26-11 vote Feb. 24, which requires one-third renewable power by 2020. The measure is the fourth attempt to require a 33 percent renewables portfolio standard for all public and private utilities. The renewables legislation adds $322,000 to the California Public Utilities Commission’s budget for carrying out requirements. The commission also is required to review the transmission capacity for adding renewables to the grid. It calls on the CPUC to create a new accounting system to handle the increased renewables mandate. In other Senate action, a powerful committee axed funding to help reduce energy bills in low-income households. In the Senate Budget Committee on Feb. 18, lawmakers approved a cut of $162 million in energy efficiency programs funded by the Gas Consumption Surcharge tax. Lawmakers cut the funding with little discussion in about “30 seconds,” observed CPUC president Mike Peevey. Budget panel chair Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) called the move--which was part of a package totaling $12.7 billion in budget cuts for fiscal year 2011-12--consistent with Governor Jerry Brown’s fiscal framework. The money--traditionally used to fund energy efficiency measures in low-income households to help reduce energy bills--is to be transferred to the state general fund to help offset the state’s estimated $25 billion budget gap. A committee analysis noted that after the transfer energy utility rate charges still would support about $1 billion for energy efficiency programs next fiscal year.