California Utilities Must Invest in Clean Electricity

All California utilities, whether privately or publicly owned, will have to invest in "clean electricity” -- electricity sources that emit low amounts of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping pollution.  Under the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), California utilities can no longer invest in highly polluting technology that would prevent them from meeting its global warming emissions reduction targets.

California’s stance on global warming will affect utilities across the Western United States.  For example, dozens of new conventional coal-fired power plants are in the planning and development stage throughout the West with aims to sell their power to California. Current contracts, such as ones Los Angeles has with Utah and Arizona plants, can't be renewed unless the plants sequester carbon emissions. A California Energy Commission spokesperson said the regulations "will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions throughout the Western states."

by
Erin Swanson
ESwanson@enviance.com