CPUC recently approved $3.1 billion for energy efficiency updates in California. The money will be paid out over the next three years in rebates and efficiency programs. The programs aims to bring the state closer to fulfilling the requiresments of AB32, where 20% of electricity comes from carbon-free sources by 2010. Currently, California receives 14% of electricity from carbon-free sources.
The $3.1 billion energy efficiency program is the largest in U.S. history. The money is targeting alternatives to building more electricity generation sources, saving electricity. Though reducing electricity demand and increasing the renewable supply of electricity, the program is moving California closer to achieving the 20% electricity generation from non-carbon sources requirement.
The goals of the program is to jump-start a low-carbon economy in the state of California by increasing business to energy-efficient alternatives in heating, air conditions, refrigeration, lighting, windows, building materials, insulation, appliances, and eventually transportation.
The program hopes to renovate 130,000 homes and government buildings, but the energy savings will extend through many more homes than this number.Once energy efficiency is in place, the movement to a carbon-neutral economy will shift to photovoltaic installations. The ideal location for photovoltaic installations are rooftops (thanks to the savings from transmission and bypassing many regulations).
Energy Efficiency in California
Rich Hessler
CleanFamilyEnergy.com
