California new tougher renewable energy goals

On Thursday September 23, 2010 CARB (California Air Resources Board) approved in a vote the new goal to raise the state's renewable energy target to 33 percent by 2020 from previous 20 percent by 2010.

As usually the new law impose some controversy. While environmentalists say the goals are too low, the large-scale developers say they are too high. Industry professionals indicate this target as more achievable than a prior goal, however it requires faster approvals for plans and ongoing governmental financing support. 

The new target would boost the renewable energy industry but is facing the significant challenges, as the new initiative in November election may revoke the new law and also the state's governor has the right to suspend provisions of the law for up to a year. 

Proposition 23 (Anti-Renewables Ballot), if approved, would suspend AB 32 CA State laws requiring major polluters to report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming until unemployment rate drops below 5.5% or less for full year. 

Supporters of the prop 23, including oil companies, fight for jobs and economic stability as a cover (but think and ask yourself could it be really true?) and don't care about the environmental protection as AB 32 "The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006" was intended to protect California from human caused global warming. 

AB 32 is the first comprehensive climate change law in the United States that established the goal of reducing California's statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a reduction of approximately 12.5% from current levels and 40% from business-as-usual in 2020.

"We must resist the efforts of out-of-state oil companies to roll back one of the most important environmental protection laws California has ever enacted and one that will serve to increase investment in energy efficiency, produce jobs, and stimulate growth within the state of California," said commission President Michael R. Peevey. "Suspending AB 32 would reverse the regulatory signal to invest in clean, environmentally friendly resources. If this were to occur, customers could face significant carbon abatement costs when AB 32 or federal regulation forces the inclusion of a carbon price into the price of the power. Delaying action now will make it more expensive to reduce greenhouse gases in the future."

The California Public Utilities Commission CPUC has voted to oppose Prop 23 on the following grounds:

1. California is a leader in economically viable environmental protection. AB 32 is one of the most ambitious climate change laws in the U.S. From energy efficiency to renewables, California has taken a leadership role in many of the technologies and strategies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while providing secure, affordable power to its citizens.

2. Proposition 23 will suspend the implementation of AB 32 indefinitely.

3. The indefinite suspension of AB 32 will cause investment dollars currently being spent in California to retreat to other states halting the largest growth industries in the state and stunting job growth.

4. Regulatory uncertainty caused by the indefinite suspension of AB 32 will undermine energy markets, potentially increasing the cost of electricity for consumers.

5. The evidence of the predicted deleterious impacts of climate change is more conclusive than the purported injurious impacts of AB 32.

Read more at http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/NEWS_RELEASE/123814.htm

On August 23, 2010 CARB also adopted goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 and 2035 associated with passenger vehicle travel, for more healthy and sustainable communities that improves the way we plan and promotes more transportation choices. 

Southern California will have to reduce emissions by 8% by 2020 and 13% by 2035, while the Sacramento Region will have to reduce emissions by 7% by 2020 and 16% by 2035. More at http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/newsrelease.php?id=154

California's energy sources in 2008 according to California Energy Commission were: 

✓ Natural Gas 45.7% (with In-State generation 87%)

✓ Coal 18.2% (with In-State generation 7%)

✓ Nuclear 14.4%

✓ Large Hydro 11.0%

✓ Renewables 10.6%

Crude Oil In States source in 2008 was 38%

Forcing more renewable power to be generated in California, would decrease our dependency on foreign oil, reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, and promote the creation of green jobs in The Golden State--direct and indirect.

On September 23, 2010 CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission) took another step towards State's renewable energy goal.  

They approved a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric Company) with First Solar, Inc. for generation from the 300 MW PV Desert Sunlight project that will deliver approximately 619 GWh of energy annually begining in July 2015, as well as 12 renewable energy contracts for SCE (Southern California Edison). 

12 PPAs were executed as part of Edison's 2009 Renewables Standard Contract (RSC) Program for renewable energy projects under 20 MW to provide a streamlined procurement process for smaller renewable energy projects. The total renewable capacity will be approximately 180 MW. Two of the projects are existing landfill gas facilities, eight are new solar photovoltaic facilities, and two are new wind facilities. 

First Solar is pursuing a Department of Energy loan guarantee under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the project. The proposals voted on are available at http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/AGENDA_RESOLUTION/123619.htm (PG&E) and http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/AGENDA_RESOLUTION/123743.htm (Edison).

The CPUC's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) program requires investor-owned utilities, energy service providers, and community choice aggregators operating in California to obtain 20% of their retail sales from renewable energy sources by 2010 and 33% by 2020. 

In 2009, PG&E served 14.4% and Edison 17.4% of their retail sales from renewable energy sources. RPS Quarterly Report for the 3rd Quarter 2010 is available at www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Renewables/index.htm.

More at http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/NEWS_RELEASE/123806.htm

CPUC authorized SCE (Southern California Edison), PG&E( Pacific Gas and Electric Company), and SDG&E( San Diego Gas & Electric Company) to own and operate solar PV facilities (UOG) as well as to execute SPPAs with IPPs (independent power producers) through a competitive solicitation process. These programs will provide up to 1,100 MW of new solar PV power in California over the next 5 years that will be RPS-eligible. More at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Renewables/Utility+PV+Programs.htm

What Sustainable Means

"Sustainable" has such a comprehensive meaning. 

Among other means it involves:

- environment protection, including people, flora-green plants and fauna-animals, extinction of species; 

- water conservation and reservoirs protection; 

- air & environmental quality (indoor and outdoor); 

- land preservation, including land use, habitat destruction, and intensive farming; 

- pollution prevention (including air, water, soil and land, light, noise, thermal, radioactive, littering); 

- ozone depletion stopping; 

- GHG-greenhouse gas emissions decrease that leads to global warming, slowdown of thermohaline circulation - large-scale ocean circulation or global dimming - reduction of direct irradiance at the Earth's surface; 

- land preservation that covers urban sprawl, habitat destruction and fragmentation, desertification, soil erosion and contamination; 

- ocean protection against acidification, deoxygenation, dead zones, and sea level rise; 

- energy efficiency and conservation; 

- resources preservation (energy resources, such oil and other fossil fuels, but also fishing: overfishing, cyanide fishing, shark finning, whaling; logging: clear-cutting & deforestation; and mining); 

- renewables; 

- ecotechnology; 

- toxins production elimination (dioxin, toxic heavy metals, toxic waste, herbicides, pesticides, CFCs-chlorofluorocarbons, DDT-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane pesticide, PCBs-polychlorinated biphenyls);

- waste management (landfill, litter, marine debris, medical waste, leachate, incineration, e-waste, including computers, phones &TVs,  hazardous waste, such batteries, paints, motor oils, pesticides, aerosols, refrigerants, thermometers and fluorescent lighting);

- recycling and reusing;

- environmental health that involve airborne diseases, like asthma, chemical poisoning, radiation, sick building syndrome, and all kind of medical conditions;

- other human activities that encompass genetic engineering, nuclear issues, nanotechnology - nanopollution & nanotoxicology, and overpopulation. 

The list can go on and on with more details.

Let's not forget also about our consumerism, over-consumption and obsolescence.

With all the green trends nowadays I am sure we'll throw most of the non-green products right away, instead of trying to utilize it as far as possible, since we already have it. One of the eye-opening, simply said, and informative stories can be watched at http://www.storyofstuff.com

It took us years and years to get to the point we are now and we are unable to fix everything at once. That's why we all need to be cautious, aware, act with common sense and see a big (or even bigger) picture in order to sustain and survive.

Businesses and the Environment

Why businesses should consider their effects on the environment?

Sustainable practices are already a fact. It's essential to look out for opportunities to use less and improve customer service or productivity. Businesses should think about the environment due to the larger issues, such as global warming, energy independence, and social impact. However we observe also other essential values:

• Energy reduction - an average 40% of the total energy use reduction by Energy Star Building would bring net savings of $1 a day per employee.  
• Space selection and efficient design can decrease energy costs, increase work productivity, and employee retention according to new real estate strategies.
• Businesses with sustainable practices are better positioned to recruit and retain employees. 58% of people working in office environment are 44 and younger, as per bureau of labor statistics, and sustainability practices are increasingly crucial to this group.
• Telecommuting - an option for a better work/life balance that improves productivity.
• LEED (Green Building Rating System) provides standards for environmentally sustainable construction. There is a long list of benefits of implementing LEED strategy from improvement in energy efficiency, IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) and water quality to reducing solid waste, benefiting owners, occupiers, and society. LEED certified buildings are healthier. Collectively LEED certificates by giving the points and rank by the level of certification boost prestige of the properties. How we live and occupy the space determines the buildings performance, but also defines and demonstrates our commitment to the environment and the health of our organizations.
• For increasing number of computers that use a lot of power and cause disposal problems the solution may be server consolidation or cloud computing that will reduce a company's carbon footprint and save money.
• Incentive programs and tax credits, rebate programs http://www.energysavers.gov/financial/. All kind of local programs and regulations regarding the climate change and sustainability are supported by federal funding and resources. EPA http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/index.htm 
• The green building legislation will become more strict, mandated and regulated. Developers and building owners who are considering green construction practices or retrofit projects will be the industry leaders.
• Prestige - many companies are very proud contributing to sustainability and saving our planet, and so the clients.
• Promoting a healthy lifestyle, trying to be less wasteful, recycling and reusing supplies, using organic materials and new green technologies, etc. are all wonderful ideas. Things like banks offering "paper free" options, emails that say "don't print if you don't have to," are small things, but when quantity is considered, are certainly worth it. In fact, in many cases today, when given offers with similar price points and service, many consumers will opt for the "green" choice.
• As observed a boom in all things "green" and organic, trendsetters, celebrities, and polititians all over the world popularize "being green" by choosing such products (e.g. hybrid cars, organic food, all natural cosmetics, etc.) and services or providing new and innovative ideas.