California now has one of the most aggressive renewable energy policies in the nation. Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill into law that sets new rules for the state’s public and private utilities.
It requires them to obtain at least 33 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Brown signed the legislation at a solar panel plant near San Jose. He talked about the challenges of environmental policy and even invoked his old nickname.
“You can’t be afraid to be called a moonbeam, weird, deviant, interesting, unexpected and let’s get it done. Senator will you come up here so we can sign this bill? Clapping fades," said Brown.
The bill was written by state Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who’s been pushing the change for several years.
“When we have hit 33 percent by 2020, we will look back on this day and say ‘look what California has done.’”
Critics of the law argue that it will drive up the cost of electricity.
