Posts by Julia Levin
CPUC Adopts Biomethane Procurement Program to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants
The California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to adopt a biomethane procurement program to help the state meet its Short-Lived Climate Pollutant reduction requirements. The program requires California’s gas utilities to procure 73 billion cubic feet of biomethane – about 12 percent of residential and small business customers’ current gas use – from anaerobic digestion…
Read MoreCalifornia Finalizes Organic Waste Diversion Regulations
In 2016, California enacted Senate Bill 1383 to reduce the most damaging climate pollutants, known as Short-Lived Climate Pollutants. The bill requires a 40 percent reduction in methane emissions and a 50 percent reduction in anthropogenic black carbon by 2030. As part of the methane reduction requirement, the legislation requires a 75 percent reduction in…
Read MoreCPUC Decision Calls for 1,000 MW of New, “Firm” Renewables, Including Bioenergy
The CPUC’s Decision calls for 11,500 MW of new renewable power generation to offset the closure of California’s last nuclear power plant and several natural gas plants along the coast that use “once-through cooling.” The Decision also calls for 1,000 MW from “firm” renewable power – bioenergy and geothermal – that is available when needed and…
Read MoreCPUC Revises BioMAT Program
The California Public Utilities Commission made significant changes to the BioMAT program, which requires 250 megawatts from distributed generation bioenergy that converts organic waste to electricity. The changes to the program include extending the program end date, converting the program into a statewide program due to the ratepayer and public benefits that it provides, providing…
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