SAN FRANCISCO—In a landmark decision, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved the “Green Tariff Shared Renewables Program,” a measure that will give millions of California residents and businesses the chance to participate in a utility clean energy program for the first time. The decision, which benefits the majority of the state’s businesses and over 38 million residents, directs the three largest investor-owned utilities—Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Southern California Edison Co., and San Diego Gas and Electric Co., which together cover nearly 80 percent of the state—to offer a Green-e Energy certified 100 percent renewable energy option to their customers. The measure also encourages the three utilities to develop a range of green power options that will allow ratepayers at all income levels to use more renewable energy than the state’’s current requirement of 33 percent by 2020.
The measure, which passed the Commission in a 5-0 vote on January 29, directs utilities to seek Green-e Energy certification for their programs. “Green-e Energy certification will provide consumers with assurance that the product meets the Green-e Energy National Standard,” it says. “Green-e Energy certification will also provide customers with standardized, understandable information on the energy’s attributes.” The measure also underscores Green-e’s open-stakeholder process, explaining that it is “developed with input from the public, including electricity users, generators, consumer protection groups, environmental policy and advocacy groups, renewable fuel companies, environmental regulatory bodies and others.”
“California continues to lead the way by ensuring households and businesses across the state can make the choice for clean energy,” said CRS Executive Director Jennifer Martin. “This historic decision means that pent-up demand for renewable electricity can soon be met, and will drive new clean energy development.”
The Green Tariff Shared Renewables Program is the first step in implementing Senate Bill (SB) 43, which passed in September 2013 and requires the three utilities to develop green pricing programs for their customers that go over and above the amount of clean energy currently required by the state.
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