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Shedding Light on the Energy Crisis:
More Renewable Energy for California
Global warming is the most difficult environmental problem of our time. Our persistent use of fossil fuels, the biggest creators of greenhouse gasses that contribute to warming, shows no sign of slowing down. California currently ranks sixth in the world for global warming contributions, one notch above industrial Germany and slightly lower than India—a country with a population of over a billion. As the effects of global warming intensify, California has at stake everything from increases in health problems like asthma and lung disease to scarcity of water due to major climate changes. Senate Bill 1478 (Sher) addresses the global warming problem by speeding up the switchover to and increasing the amount of renewable energy used in California.
While cars contribute greatly to global warming, electricity supplied from natural gas significantly adds to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions—the main global warming gas. Transitioning to cleaner sources of energy will help curtail global warming by dramatically reducing CO2 emissions. Moreover, investing more in renewable energy will stimulate the economy by creating new jobs and putting California at the forefront of the rapidly growing clean energy industry. One of the biggest lessons learned from the Enron-exacerbated energy crisis is that California cannot afford to be dependent on out-of-state gas companies. By switching to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal, California moves toward self-sufficiency.
Currently, over 90 percent of California's energy comes from environmentally degrading sources that result in air and water pollution, global warming, and toxins in our communities. However, California has an abundance of sunshine, wind, and geothermal energy that easily could be harnessed to provide clean, renewable power. Under current law, the "Renewable Portfolio Standard" (RPS) mandates that California achieve 20 percent renewable electricity by 2017, with 17 percent by 2006. SB 1478 would raise the bar by advancing the deadline of 20 percent renewable energy to 2010. The Governor has already stated his support for "20 percent by 2010" and has even proposed 33 percent by 2020.
California has a history of setting trends for environmental standards. Let's not miss out on the opportunity to lead the way with renewable energy.
What You Can Do
SB 1478 has passed through the Legislature and is now on the Governor's desk. Please contact Governor Schwarzenegger and encourage him to sign SB 1478.
See our sample letter and send one to the Governor!
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 916-558-3160
Email the Governor using his web form at http://www.govmail.ca.gov/.
