Energy Industry Updates for September 2010

California Regulators Rev Up Renewable Portfolio Standard to 33 percent; Voters Might Apply Brakes

California regulators recently passed an aggressive renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that will require 33 percent of electricity sold in the state to come from renewable sources, but a November ballot initiative could change things.

On September 23, 2010, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved a rule, as directed by an earlier executive order by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, to increase the RPS from the current 20-percent requirement that sunsets at the end of 2010. The regulation is the product of coordination and cooperation by CARB, the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, and the California Independent System Operator. This action comes on the heels of the California Legislature's recent failure to pass a bill that would have made the 33-percent target a state law.