Assembly Bill (AB) 327 took effect in California at the first of the year, giving the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authority to expand the State’s 33% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). This week, the CPUC extended its RPS proceeding to determine, before February 2015, how to implement the new law. AB 327 provides that the CPUC may
California Air Resources Board Issues Draft Update to AB 32 Scoping Plan
By Allison Smith on
This week the California Air Resources Board (ARB) released a draft of its AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update. The original Scoping Plan was adopted in 2008 and must be updated every five years. The Scoping Plan serves as a blueprint for achieving AB 32’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
The draft Update summarizes programs implemented over the last five years under AB 32 and outlines actions necessary to continue California’s progress toward the 2020 emissions reduction goal. The draft Update shows that California is on track to meet the 2020 emissions reduction goal and inventories the progress made across different economic sectors and programs like cap and trade. With the Update, ARB continues its strategy of achieving AB 32 goals through a mix of emissions reduction measures, including regulatory programs, incentives, and market-based approaches.…
Continue Reading California Air Resources Board Issues Draft Update to AB 32 Scoping Plan
California AB 327 Passes California Legislature; Heads to the Governor for Signature
By Chad Marriott on
Posted in California
Following several months of debate among ratepayer advocates, utilities and solar industry groups, California’s Assembly Bill 327 ("AB 327") passed the California Assembly this week and now awaits Governor Brown’s signature.
This bill would effect policy reform in three major areas:
- The tiered rate structure for residential customers, generally, and the fixed charges assessed to
…
Tentative Ruling Issued in California Cap and Trade Auction Lawsuit
By Allison Smith on
A tentative ruling was issued yesterday in the related cases California Chamber of Commerce v. California Air Resources Board (ARB) and Morning Star Packing Co. v. ARB, pending before the Sacramento County Superior Court. The cases challenge the legality of ARB’s cap and trade auctions under two theories: (1) the cap and trade auctions…
Governor Brown Signs Three Biogas Bills Into Law
By William H. Holmes on
Posted in Biofuels, California
Here’s a California law update from my partner Wayne Rosenbaum in San Diego:
The California legislature continues to emphasize the importance of renewable energy for the State’s environment and economy. Of the renewable energy bills passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor this year, three of them focused on biogas. Some of the…
California Judicial Council Announces Expedited CEQA Litigation Court Rules for Qualifying Development Projects
By William H. Holmes on
Posted in Regulation, Solar
From our colleague Wayne Rosenbaum:
As Juliet Cho blogged about in our California Environmental Law blog, California Governor Jerry Brown signed the Jobs and Economic Development through Environmental Leadership Act of 2011 (also known as AB 900) into law last September. The law aims to provide an incentive for applicants to move forward…
First California Cap-and-Trade Auction Delayed, Lawsuit Filed to Challenge Offset Protocols
By Lee Smith on
Posted in California
From Allison C. Smith and Lee N. Smith:
Last week was busy for the California Cap-and-Trade Program, adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) last December under A.B. 32. First, last Tuesday, CARB Chairman Mary Nichols announced at a Senate hearing that the first scheduled Cap-and-Trade allowance auction, scheduled for August 2012, will…
Injunction on California Cap & Trade Rules Stayed by Appeal
By Lee Smith on
Posted in California, Litigation
At the prompting of the Petitioners, on June 6, 2011, the San Francisco Superior Court delivered an order criticizing the California Air Resources Board for continuing to work on AB 32, Greenhouse Gas regulations, despite the injunction issued in the CEQA case and ordered them to appear to discuss the issue. However, late last week the Appeals…
California Cap & Trade Challenge Final Order Issued
By Lee Smith on
Posted in Climate Change
On Friday, May 20, 2011, Judge Goldsmith of San Francisco Supreme Court issued a final order (PDF) with respect to a lawsuit challenging the environmental review of the Cap and Trade regulations created under California’s AB 32 Greenhouse Gas statute and the associated Scoping Plan. In its order, the Court enjoined the Cap and Trade portion…
CEC Holds Workshop on Energy Storage for 2011 IEPR
By William H. Holmes & Kimberly Hellwig on
The 2011 IEPR Committee Workshop on Energy Storage for Renewable Integration was held Thursday, April 28th at the California Energy Commission (CEC) offices in Sacramento. The Workshop was presented in a three panel format, with each panel addressing specific topics, including (1) the need for energy storage in light of California’s renewable portfolio standard, greenhouse…