(June 19, 2006) As lawmakers wrestle with ways to combat climate changes, a California Chamber of Commerce-led coalition is supporting alternative measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
AB 1925 (Blakeslee; R-San Luis Obispo) requires the state Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to submit a report to the Legislature with recommendations on strategies and incentives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions during the generation of electricity.
AB 2021 (Levine; D-Van Nuys) helps California achieve its energy-saving targets by requiring municipal utilities to invest in cost-effective, energy-efficient technologies.
AB 1925
The Chamber-led coalition, Sustainable Environment and Economy for California (SEE California), views this bill as an important step in expanding the use of known processes such as carbon sequestration, as well as encouraging the development of new technologies and processes, to capture and contain carbon.
The ultimate result will be a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions without risking the state’s energy supply or sources or harming California’s growing economy and jobs climate.
AB 2021
The bill requires the California Energy Commission to identify all potentially achievable cost-effective electricity and natural gas efficiency savings and establish statewide annual targets for energy- efficiency savings and demand reduction over 10 years.
According to the Energy Action Plan II released by the Energy Commission, “per capita electricity consumption in the U.S. has increased by nearly 50 percent,” while “California electricity use per capita has been approximately flat.”
This trend demonstrates California is on the right path in increasing energy efficiency and preparing for future energy demands. AB 2021 would further this progress by requiring municipal utilities to meet energy-efficiency targets.
California’s annual population growth rates would appear to preclude elimination of future energy demands. AB 2021, however, is a good step in promoting a more energy-efficient future for the state by encouraging even greater energy-production efficiency.
Action Needed
The Chamber believes AB 1925 and AB 2021 are practical approaches to addressing some of the energy-related challenges California faces at present and in the future without compromising the state's energy supplies or economy.
AB 1925 passed the Assembly floor on a 80-0 vote and is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee on June 20. AB 2021 also will be heard June 20 in Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications. Urge committee members to support AB 1925 and AB 2021.
Visit www.seeca.org for more information on the SEE California Coalition.
Click here to obtain letters of support for AB 2021 and AB 1925.
Staff Contact: Amisha Patel