Empowering California With Renewable Energy

Re “Fueling a Green Energy Quest,” editorial, March 25: Contrary to The Times’ opinion, the energy crisis of 2000-01 has refreshed, not “disrupted,” California’s drive for increasing renewable electricity generation.

The Davis administration’s renewed push for green power has resulted in more megawatts from renewables in the last four years than in the previous decade. Financial incentives for power plants fueled by solar, wind, water, geothermal, “biomass” energy and others supported 4,539 megawatts in 2001, with the potential to produce 470 megawatts more from 41 new renewable power plants in the next four years.

Through innovative auctions conducted by the Energy Commission’s Renewable Energy Program, renewable energy projects can receive up to 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour during the first five years of operation.

The $240-million awards boost efforts to expand the state’s use of renewable energy from 12% today to 17% by 2006--positioning California to meet the state Senate Bill 532 target of 20% by 2010.

Gov. Gray Davis’ renewable agenda also includes $100 million in incentives for up to half the system cost to consumers producing their own electricity using renewable energy and over $50 million in research projects for developing advanced renewable electricity systems.

Steve Larson

Executive Director

California Energy Commission

Sacramento