The California Senate passed legislation to mandate that America’s largest state economy, with a population and GDP both larger than Canada’s, get all of its electricity from renewable sources by 2045, Utility Dive reports.
California “Senate Bill 100 would target 50% renewable energy [for power generation] by the end of 2026 and 60% renewables by the end of 2030,” the industry news outlet writes. “The state currently has a 50% renewable energy target set for 2030 and sourced 27% of its power from renewables last year. “
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Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) said the new all-renewable mandate would be “the most ambitious target in the world to expand clean energy.” In fact, it brings California in line with tiny Hawaii, which has the same goal of sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2045.
De Léon was among 27 state senators who wrote to California Governor Jerry Brown after the Trump administration announced it would withdraw from the Paris agreement, urging the governor “to consider convening a Climate Summit, partner with Mexico and Canada, and invite like-minded states and sub-nationals from around the world, to ensure that we continue to charge ahead without forfeiting all of our historic progress to date.”
The bill now moves to the California state assembly for consideration.
