USA, California:

Opinion: California Companies Trapped in Brown Power, Yearning to go Green (Sacramento Bee)

Raising the cap on Direct Access from its current 13 percent of the market to at least 20 percent, with renewable power comprising all the added supply, could lead to more than 6,000 megawatts in new geothermal, wind and solar output across the state.

As Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature draw up an action strategy for their new election mandate, one of their toughest challenges will be to keep California on track with its long-term plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A wide range of potential low-carbon policies is on the table, but one of the most effective options has long been overlooked: allowing businesses and universities to switch fully to renewable sources of electricity.

Despite California’s role as a national leader in climate policy, outdated state laws severely limit the ability of large electricity users to buy renewable power. Solving this paradox could accelerate the transition to clean energy and help policymakers build support for a new set of emissions cuts beyond the interim goals for 2020.

A new all-renewables Direct Access program would drive innovation, investment and job creation in the power sector. Raising the cap on Direct Access from its current 13 percent of the market to at least 20 percent, with renewable power comprising all the added supply, could lead to more than 6,000 megawatts in new geothermal, wind and solar output across the state. Properly crafted, such a program also would promote grid stability and protect nonparticipating electricity consumers from rate impacts.

Looking toward California’s climate legacy after 2020, Brown and the Legislature need to harness the full potential of every sector to cut emissions. California’s corporations and universities have the resources, talent and ambition to help make that happen.

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