New bill to set key benchmarks for California to get to 100% clean energy

Today I got to build on our work to get the state to 100% clean energy by testifying in support of the Clean Energy, Jobs and Affordability Act of 2022, a new bill that would set critical benchmarks to get to our 100% clean energy goals. Here is my testimony: 

Today I got to build on our work to get the state to 100% clean energy by testifying in support of the Clean Energy, Jobs and Affordability Act of 2022, a new bill that would set critical benchmarks to get to our 100% clean energy goals. Here is my testimony: 

 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Dan Jacobson. I am a senior advisor for Environment California.

Environment California is in support of SB 1020.

First and foremost, clean energy is here, and it works. When Senator Sher first passed SB 1078 in 2001, California was generating less than 3% of its energy from clean energy sources. Now, thanks to the hard work of the state legislature, our state is on a path to 100% clean energy. It has been widely reported that on April 3rd, for a few minutes, California was generating 96.57% of its energy from clean energy sources. This is not an accident. 

SB 1020 carries on this successful promise of clean energy. Under the bill, California would set interim targets that would set clear goals for clean energy. These clear goals are critical. They act as a guide star for the state agencies that oversee our energy in the state. When the legislature sets up these clear interim goals, it will ensure we hit our 100% clean energy goals in a timely and organized manner. Passage of this bill will help restore California’s climate leadership. 

SB 1020 will also get our state agencies to move to 100% by 2030. This “walk the talk” provision of the bill will be critical to helping the state take advantage of clean energy resources like geothermal and offshore wind.

SB 1020 also works to address affordability. Our path to 100% must be done with affordable rates. This bill starts the conversation on that issue.

SB 1020 will help clean the air. The most recent data from the American Lung Association is out and sadly, once again, California has some of the worst air quality in the country.  It makes no sense to continue to pollute our air to produce electricity when we can do it with clean energy alternatives. As we move more of our homes and cars to be powered by electricity, it only makes sense that we also move more and more of our power to clean energy sources like wind and solar.

Another reason to support SB 1020 is to advance the new clean energy technologies that are just beginning. For example, last year the California legislature voted, overwhelmingly, to pass legislation to set goals for offshore wind. SB 1020 sends a clean signal to the clean energy developers that we need offshore wind, geothermal energy, and clean storage. These new clean energy technologies are all part of the state’s plan to get to 100%. We need to build a new clean energy economy and SB 1020 makes that possible.

 By creating the interim goals for clean energy, we can move California forward on a clean energy future.

Thank you for your time. We respectfully ask for an “aye” vote.”

 

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Dan Jacobson

Senior Advisor, Environment California

Dan provides campaign strategy and policy guidance for Environment California's program and organizational plans. Prior to his current role, he worked as the state director of Environment California and the organizing director of Florida PIRG, among other roles. The Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT) named Dan a Clean Power Champion in 2019, and Capitol Weekly named him one of the “Top 100 Lobbyists” in California in 2008. Dan's areas of expertise include renewable energy, electric vehicles and ocean pollution, and he has successfully advocated for the passage of dozens of bills into law, including measures to ban toxic chemicals, bring 1 million solar roofs to California, and ban single-use plastic grocery bags. He ran the campaign for SB 100, California’s law setting a goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2045.

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