Innovative Bill Would Save Customers Millions, Help State Fight Climate Change
NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
Joaquin McPeek, jmcpeek@edf.org,
916-492-7173
Senate Bill 1414 (Wolk) was voted out of committee today and is on a clear path to save Californians energy and money. The bill would ensure that state regulators and utilities use demand response programs to lower electricity bills, improve air quality, and enhance electric grid reliability.
“SB 1414 is a win-win for clean energy in California. It saves consumers money, increases the use of clean, renewable energy and reduces harmful emissions and other pollutants by empowering people, rather than power plants, to meet energy demand,” said Lauren Navarro, Attorney and California Senior Manager, Clean Energy.
Demand response is an innovative tool used by utilities to reward people who use less electricity during times of peak, or high, energy demand, when power plants are pushed to their limits and struggle to supply enough electricity. With lower demand, utilities have less need for “peaker” power plants – which are commonly used only to generate power several dozen hours per year and one of the state’s most expensive and least efficient electrical generating resources. With reduced demand easing stress on existing power plants, demand response in turn reduces the need to build new costly and dirty fossil fuel power plants.
SB 1414 will elevate the role that demand response will play in resource planning, requiring investor-owned utilities to consider it in their resource planning. This would lead to a more competitive and economically efficient electric market.
“This bill highlights the vital role that demand response can play in our state’s clean energy future,” said Navarro.
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund
Latest press releases
-
Public Interest Groups Defend SEC’s Climate Risk Disclosure Rule
August 15, 2024 -
Puerto Rico Hit by Tropical Storm Ernesto
August 14, 2024 -
La Tormenta Tropical Ernesto toca tierra en Puerto Rico
August 14, 2024 -
Localized air monitoring in New York’s disadvantaged communities underscores the need for immediate action to cut air pollution
August 14, 2024 -
Appeals Court Rejects Attempt to Block Mercury and Air Toxics Protections
August 6, 2024 -
New Study Provides Comprehensive Estimates of Methane Emissions from Canada’s Oil and Gas Industry Based on Direct Measurements
August 6, 2024