The Governor of California, Jerry Brown, has signed an executive order calling for full carbon-neutrality across the economy by 2045. This effectively means that all sectors will have to decarbonise or find a way to offset emissions. The executive order comes after the state passed a bill, entitled SB 100, requiring for 100% of its electricity generation to come from carbon-free sources by 2045, joining Hawaii which passed similar legislation in 2015.
Analysts say the flexibility inherent in the aim for “carbon free sources” which includes large hydro, nuclear power and even natural gas with carbon capture storage, was instrumental to the bill’s success. It stipulates that 50% of its electricity must be renewable by 2026 and 60% renewable by 2030. Currently, according to the California Energy Commission, renewables make up 29% of the state’s electricity grid, with large hydro at 14.72%.
