According to Engadget, California is the nation’s leading renewable-energy proponent. The state’s three investor-owned utilities, which include Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric, are on track to offer 50 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2020.
All of this information was reported by the California Energy Commission in its annual Renewable Portfolio Standard report back in November. Engadget reports that these types of reports have been used to promote clean-energy production internationality since the 1970s. California codified this practice in 2002, and its mandatory reporting “has become a potent tool in fighting greenhouse-gas emissions throughout the state.”
Engadget also reports that California has seen a massive construction boom in the solar and wind energy sectors. “The price of solar power has dropped to under $30 in 2016 from around $136 per megawatt-hour in 2008, while wind power prices have fallen to $51 in 2015 from $97 per megawatt-hour in 2007, per the report.” The state has also seen a decrease in greenhouse-gas emissions from electricity every year.
“It shows the importance of bold goals,” Jerry Brown, governor of California, told Engadget. “When you put a marker way out there and say, ‘We’re going to go achieve that, we’re going to write this down as a matter of policy and then go do it,’ you can accomplish an enormous amount.”
Brown also said that since the state is on pace to hit 50 percent renewable by 2020, California might be able to set another goal in the near future: 80 percent by 2050.
What this means for decision makers:
Based on Engaget’s report, and other trends in renewable energy, green is the way to go. California isn’t the only state reaping the benefits of renewable energy options – Engadget says that Hawaii recently passed legislation stating that 100 percent of its electricity generation will come from renewable energy by 2045, and Vermont is aiming to hit 75 percent by 2032.
However, decision makers considering green energy solutions, or who already own such solutions for their business should keep in mind that more challenges are waiting down the road. Engadget says that energy production will feel the heat with climate change; daytime energy demands will likely increase throughout the Southwest due to rising temperatures, leading to higher air condition usage, and colder winters months will lead to higher heating usage. Brown also told Engadget he fears that the country will see bump in heat-related injuries, deaths, and extended droughts, which can cause other natural disasters such as wildfires.
Decision makers considering these technologies or who currently own similar solutions may want to consider changes in climate, and track weather trends to determine if those technologies are a good fit for their businesses, or if they are going to cost their companies – and their environment – money.
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Hi Jessica
The facts posted by you about California becoming a leading advocate in renewable energy are very impressive. This will certainly motivate others also to shift to renewable resources for their energy generation.