USA, California:

California Lawmakers Weigh Controversial Energy Bill (Natural Gas Intelligence)

SB1139 - California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program is due to be read for a third and final time 

An effort by utility unions and other stakeholders is under way in the waning days of the California legislature's current session that could mandate an expanded market for geothermal power generation at the expense of existing natural gas-fired and renewable-based generation.

As the state lawmakers begin their last few days of this year's session, which is scheduled to adjourn Aug. 31, a proposal from a San Diego state senator (SB 1139) is attempting to force the state's three major private-sector electric utilities to collectively buy an additional 500 MW of geothermal energy from the Imperial Valley in the far southeast corner of California, which is part of Sen. Ben Hueso's district.

Representatives on both sides of the issue were waiting Thursday for a vote by the full lower house Assembly in the next day or so. From there it would go back to the state Senate for concurrence.

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