NEW ENERGY FOR CALIF

Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces 244 Proposed Renewable Energy Projects Throughout State
Cindy Holden, 30 December 2009 (California Newswire)

"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger…announced the first comprehensive list of 244 proposed renewable energy projects that could produce up to almost 70,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy annually, building on California’s aggressive renewable energy goals. These proposed projects throughout the state include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and small hydro facilities and will help move California towards achieving the Governor’s renewable energy goal of 33 percent by 2020. Currently California facilities produce just over 8,000 MW of renewable energy annually…

"In October, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to expedite the permitting process for renewable energy projects in California and appointed a special advisor to oversee the fast-tracking of the permitting process for renewable energy facilities…California was the first state to sign [such] an MOU…to cooperatively develop long-term renewable energy plans and to usher eligible projects through state and federal permitting processes that can receive 30 percent federal tax credits under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (Recovery Act)."

More and more New Energy (click to enlarge)

"Of the 244 proposed projects, up to 53 have indicated they will apply for Recovery Act funds and will break ground by the end of 2010. For those proposed projects looking for federal stimulus support, 22 could generate power at utility-sized levels of larger than 200 MW, totaling more than 9,000 MW. Many of the proposed projects are currently moving through a state, federal or local permitting process…

"Governor Schwarzenegger established California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by executive order calling for 33 percent renewable energy by 2020. The California Air Resources Board will adopt regulations to increase California’s RPS and provide clear and permanent direction for the creation, delivery and servicing of California’s renewable energy projects, which will help avoid another energy crisis while increasing the state’s renewable energy use."

energy costs go down, employment goes up (click to enlarge)

"In November 2008, the Governor signed Executive Order S-14-08 (EO) to streamline California’s renewable energy permitting process and increase the state’s renewable energy goals. Following this EO, the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Department of Fish and Game formed a cooperative relationship with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, called the Renewable Energy Action Team (REAT). This was a first-of-its-kind agreement…[and the REAT agencies are working closely with the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Independent System Operator to further coordinate and streamline renewable energy development and permitting…to help meet the Recovery Act [2010 start] deadline…

"…[The REAT] agencies are [also] working together on a long-term conservation strategy for the Colorado and Mojave Deserts…[with a plan] scheduled to be completed in 2012…[for] a long-term road map to development and conservation in the California desert…A list of the 244 proposed projects that are currently in review or have been approved is available [here but subject to change]..."