Assembly passes renewable energy mandate

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A mandate that California utilities increase their use of renewable energy sailed through the state Assembly on Tuesday and is headed for the governor’s desk.

The legislation would require electricity companies in the state to provide 33% of power from renewable resources, including solar and wind, by the year 2020. State law currently sets a 20% goal.

Supporters of the bill invoked the nuclear plant problems in Japan, and conflict in the oil-rich Middle East, to make their case.

‘The bill provides flexibility to utilities, protects ratepayers ... and helps the California economy,’ said Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata).

The bill includes a cap on the cost to utilities of meeting the 33% goal, and delays the mandate if sufficient clean electricity is not available, Chesbro said.

But several Republican lawmakers including Assemblyman Tim Donnelly of San Bernardino said they are not convinced that the measure will protect electricity customers from a rate increase, which a state agency once estimated at 7%.

‘All we’re going to do is make electricity more expensive, make us less competitive with other states, and if you’re a manufacturing company looking to bring jobs to California, you are going to be taking a hard look at other places because of this bill,’’ Donnelly said.

The measure, previously passed by the Senate, received approval from the Assembly on a 55-19 vote. Gov. Jerry Brown has not taken a position on the bill but campaigned last year in favor of increasing the renewable energy mandate.

-- Patrick McGreevy