California Bans Dirty Power Purchasing
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 02. 1.07
In a rule that is expected to go into effect today, the California Public Utilities Commission has decided to ban power companies from buying electricity from high-polluting sources. More specifically, the new standard would prohibit utilities and other energy providers from entering into long-term contracts with generating facilities that emit more carbon dioxide than a modern natural gas plant. Although there is little coal-fired generation within California, approximately 20% of the state’s electricity is derived from coal plants in neighboring states. Subsequently, this rule could have a significant impact on the energy market in the Western United States. The Public Utilities Commission, which voted 4-0 in favor of the new regulation, hopes that this will encourage investment in renewable energy. See also ::UCS: California Enacts Nation’s Toughest Global Warming Bill and ::California Setting Another Important Precedent for Renewable Energy
That's fantastic news! I want to move to California :D.
Interesting contrast--in Texas we're watching TXU try to push through 11 new coal-fired plants.
Consumers will vote with their pocketbooks and simply choose renewable energy providers. Some will simply generate their own power, CA and TX are both net-metered states with plenty of wind and solar.
We're entering a cycle that Roy H. Williams (Wizard of Ads) and Strauss & Howe (authors, Generations) call a Civic cycle. Attitudes in this cycle reflect a civic focus on the collective, on service, and practical authentic actions. This is not a 'me' generation, it's a 'we' generation. I predict we'll see people pulling together to generate power at home (think SETI@Home with energy, not CPUs.)