California Governor Brown Signs Law Requiring 100% Clean Energy By 2045

California Governor Edmund “Jerry” Brown on Monday signed Senate Bill 100 into law, setting in place a 100% renewable electricity target for the state by 2045, and doubled down on his clean energy commitment by issuing an executive order establishing a new target to achieve carbon neutrality over the same time frame.

Less than a fortnight after the California State Assembly passed Senate Bill 100 (SB-100) by a margin of 43 to 32, the State’s Governor has signed the bill into law, confirming the words of the bill’s author, State Senator Kevin de León, last month: “When it comes to fighting climate change and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, California won’t back down.”

Given his past history in advocating for renewable energy and environmental policies, it is unsurprising Governor Brown acted so quickly in signing this bill into law. “This bill and the executive order put California on a path to meet the goals of Paris and beyond. It will not be easy. It will not be immediate. But it must be done,” said Governor Brown.

“In California, Democrats and Republicans know climate change is real, it’s affecting our lives right now, and unless we take action immediately – it may become irreversible,” added Senator de León on Monday. “Today, with Governor Brown’s support, California sent a message to the rest of the world that we are taking the future into our own hands; refusing to be the victims of its uncertainty. Transitioning to an entirely carbon-free energy grid will create good-paying jobs, ensure our children breathe cleaner air and mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change on our communities and economy.”

Specifically, SB-100 serves to advance California’s existing Renewables Portfolio Standard and increases the state’s targets to 50% by 2025, 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2045.

“California is committed to doing whatever is necessary to meet the existential threat of climate change,” said Governor Brown in his SB 100 signing message. “This bill, and others I will sign this week, help us go in that direction. But have no illusions, California and the rest of the world have miles to go before we achieve zero-carbon emissions.”

In addition to signing SB-100 into law, Governor Brown also issued an executive order directing the state to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and net negative greenhouse gas emissions after that.

“These actions are both visionary and pragmatic, and further cement California’s position as a national and global leader on climate change,” said Dan Lashof, Director, World Resources Institute for the United States. “Planning needs to start now to allow a smooth transition to a 100% clean electricity system, avoiding stranded investments and driving better outcomes for families and businesses across California. In addition, the legislation includes mandatory interim targets that will drive continued expansion of the renewable energy industry in the near term, which already employs more than 150,000 Californians. Governor Brown also upped the ante by setting a new statewide target to achieve zero net emissions by 2045. This is a great way to kick off the Global Climate Action Summit.”

“We applaud the governor for his support to make a 100% clean energy grid a reality for our great state, and demonstrating California’s global leadership for a secure, clean, affordable energy future,” said Amisha Rai, Senior Director of California Policy for the Advanced Energy Economy (AEE). “This clean energy bill is also a big win for our economy and jobs, as we have already demonstrated here in California that we can improve our energy resources while making a positive economic impact.”

“Good organizing pays off!” crowed Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org. “So much credit is due to community groups around California that turned the fires and droughts and floods into fuel for significant climate action. While some are talking about climate solutions and green jobs, California leaders like Senator Kevin de León are making solutions real.”