California stays green as utilities are powered by 20% renewable energy

It seems as though California leads the nation in the green movement, whether it be its clean air bus fleet or large number of park conservation organizations, it is a role model to other states who aspire be more green. This notion continues to be true as state regulators announced yesterday in a report that California’s big three investor-owned utilities(Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison) have reached the RPS(Renewable Portfolio Standard) to obtain at least 20% of their electricity they supply from renewable energy sources.

The three companies collected an average of 20.6% of their electricity from renewable energy sources with Southern California Edison leading the way with 21.1%. These companies collected their energy from solar, wind, geothermal, and other forms of renewable energy. Since 2003, California has installed 2,871 megawatts of renewably energy capacity and this year they are on course to add another 2,800 megawatts.

This addition of renewable sources will be crucial to meeting the next RSP target of 33% in seven years due to the temporary closing of the San Onofre nuclear power plant due to a radiation leak and there has been no word on a reopening any time soon. The combined 5,600 megawatts of energy will equal the top production of energy of five big nuclear power plants, so this addition will definitely help supplement the loss. Kudos to California for striving to be green and obtaining its RSP goal. We’ll keep you updated on their Green Movement as time goes on.

Dakota Torres
Categories: Green
Tags: california, renewable energy