California Municipal Utilities Association Statement on SB 100 Report
Executive Director Barry Moline Applauds Efforts and Emphasizes Importance of Reliability and Affordability
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Section: CMUA News
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(Sacramento, Calif., March 16, 2021) -- Barry Moline, executive director of the California Municipal Utilities Association, issued the following statement in response to the release of the SB 100 Joint Agency Report, a landmark document outlining key issues on achieving 100 percent zero-carbon electricity in California by 2045:
 

“California’s publicly owned electric utilities are helping lead the state’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change by investing in clean energy resources, while keeping the lights on around the clock and keeping customers’ bills affordable.

“The state’s SB 100 study is just a beginning. It’s a collaborative effort that begins to lay the groundwork for the next big leap to 60 percent renewable energy, and also toward total zero-carbon electricity for customers. The next phase will be a challenge, however. It is vital that utilities and state leaders work together to thoughtfully analyze all the issues, especially since billions of dollars of ratepayer money will be needed to invest in new power resources, transmission lines, energy storage and customer engagement.

“As we sharpen our pencils and dive into the details of 100% zero-carbon electricity, we need to remember that Californians expect and deserve power that remains on 24/7 and that is affordable across the state, from the coast to the Central Valley, to the Sierra and desert regions.”



Background

SB 100 (de León), passed in 2018, increases the obligation for electric utilities to procure renewable energy from 50 percent to 60 percent by 2030 and also creates a goal of achieving 100 percent zero-carbon electric retail sales by 2045. To support that goal, the legislation requires the California Energy Commission, the California Public utilities Commission and the California Air Resources Board to issue a joint report on a variety of issues associated with achieving a 100 percent carbon-free electric supply, including an assessment of costs and benefits, barriers to achieving the policy and alternative scenarios in which the policy can be achieved. The report must be updated every four years.

Key conclusions from the report include:
  • SB 100 is achievable and there are multiple pathways to reach the 100 percent clean energy target.
  • Sustained new investment will be required to meet SB 100 goals in a high electrification future.
The report does not carefully examine electric reliability, but it does call for further assessment. And while the report examines overall cost impacts to ratepayers, the report recommends further assessment of costs.
 
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The California Municipal Utilities Association represents publicly owned electric utilities, which provide electric service to 25 percent of California.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 16, 2021
Contact: Matt Williams, Communications Director
mwilliams@cmua.org
(916) 841-4054