Southern California Edison Introduces Clean Energy Proposal to Meet State’s Climate, Air Quality Goals
Southern California Edison today proposed an integrated strategic
framework for the state of California to meet its ambitious climate and
air quality goals. SCE describes its Clean
Power and Electrification Pathway in a white paper released
today.
The approach builds upon existing state programs by identifying
cost-effective actions to increase clean energy in the electric system
and to leverage that clean electricity in the transportation and
building sectors to achieve needed emissions reductions. California
environmental goals include reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by
40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 and by 80 percent by 2050, as well
as reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other health-harming pollutants in
areas of the state with the highest levels of air pollution by 2032.
“Climate change and air pollution are serious threats that will require
the state to transform the way energy is produced and used,” said Pedro
Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, the parent company
of SCE. “California is a global leader in addressing climate change and
we will enable those efforts by leading the transformation of the
electric industry to better serve our customers, protect the environment
and improve public health.”
The integrated approach developed by SCE emphasizes the urgency of
implementing the actions outlined. With only 12 years to reach the 2030
target, timely and proactive decisions will have to be made.
Policymakers as well as business and community leaders must quickly
align on the near-term policies, programs and market changes needed to
meet California’s ambitious timeline.
“I am encouraged to see SCE proposing solutions and taking seriously our
clean air needs and climate protection goals,” said Joseph Lyou,
president and CEO of the Coalition for Clean Air, and South Coast Air
Quality Management District board member.
“SCE’s push to evolve the role of solar energy and the clean energy
market will result in making zero emission electric supply available
cost effectively for expanded use in transportation, homes and
businesses,” said Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar.
The Clean Power and Electrification Pathway calls for three
closely linked efforts that support and build upon each other:
-
Doubling the use of carbon-free electricity from
40 percent today to 80 percent by 2030, supported by energy
storage - The electric sector has already reduced GHG emissions below
1990 levels and now accounts for only 19 percent of California’s GHG
emissions.
The plan calls for increasing the use of
large-scale, carbon-free generation such as wind, solar and large
hydroelectric power plants to at least 80 percent of electricity
delivered to customers, continued use of distributed rooftop solar and
doubling energy efficiency by 2030.
-
Accelerating the use of electric vehicles,
including passenger cars and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, to more
than 7 million by 2030 - The transportation sector is the
largest source of GHG emissions and local air quality problems, with
40 percent of the goods entering the nation moving through the
region’s ports and highways. “It is critical that we work toward
providing measurable reductions in air pollution that causes health
problems and disproportionately affects communities that are located
near transportation corridors with heavy freight movement,” Pizarro
said.
To encourage consumer acceptance and adoption
of electric vehicles, SCE’s proposal urges development of
additional charging infrastructure and continued financial incentives
that lower the purchase price of electric vehicles during the early
stages of adoption, particularly for low- and middle-income
communities.
-
Increasing electrification of commercial and
residential space and water heating - SCE’s plan indicates that
the electrification of nearly one-third of residential and commercial
space and water heaters, combined with continued improvements in
energy efficiency in buildings, could reduce GHG emissions
significantly.
The SCE proposal provides continued support for the state’s
market-based, cap-and-trade program as a critical component of efforts
to reduce GHG emissions, while ensuring that electricity remains
affordably priced for utility customers. The proposal also recognizes
the importance of geographically diverse sources of renewable energy and
regional markets that support affordable, zero carbon energy supplies.
“SCE is dedicated to delivering a clean energy future for California,”
said SCE President Ron Nichols. “The Clean Power and Electrification
Pathway provides a blueprint to achieve the company’s and the state’s
air quality and climate policy goals by building a clean energy
economy while creating high-skill middle income jobs. SCE will continue
to leverage and expand a wide variety of innovative technologies,
including large-scale and customer-sited renewables, energy storage and
energy efficiency.”
About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison
is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population
of approximately 15 million via 5 million customer accounts in a
50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern
California.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171031005478/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2017
Source: Business Wire
(October 31, 2017 - 11:00 AM EDT)
News by QuoteMedia
www.quotemedia.com