New MOU to strengthen efforts on renewable energy development in California

Power lines in California near the Nevada state line (source: flickr/ Bill & Vicki T, creative commons)

Alexander Richter 17 Dec 2016

In news from the U.S. it is reported that US Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has signed a memorandum of understanding with California Governor Edmund G Brown Jr to expand work on renewable energy projects.

With this MoU it is planned to strengthen efforts to unlock the renewable energy potential in the State of California, “create jobs and support development that makes sense for both the economy and the environment.”

The hope is that it will not only increase renewable energy projects and capacity, but also generate thousands of construction and operation jobs and cut carbon emissions extensively.

There is a hope that this will also include geothermal energy development in California, the state with the largest geothermal potential.

The MOU establishes specific objectives for renewable energy development on federal and state lands and waters and directing state and federal offices to support efforts to achieve the goals laid down in the MOU. A high priority is placed on processing applications for renewable energy projects in areas that minimize environmental effects, make efficient use of existing transmission systems and are consistent with ongoing cooperative planning efforts. For more details see the link below.

California’s goal of meeting 50 percent of the state’s electrical needs with renewable energy sources by 2030 will require a substantial increase in the development of qualified energy projects, such as onshore and offshore wind, solar, geothermal, offshore wave and biomass. These projects also will contribute to the state’s climate change goals of reducing greenhouse gases to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030; and help the state achieve the health-based air quality standards of the Clean Air Act.

Source: OWJ Online