{"id":18889,"date":"2013-11-19T19:32:10","date_gmt":"2013-11-19T19:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ecowatch.com\/?p=312617"},"modified":"2013-11-19T19:32:10","modified_gmt":"2013-11-19T19:32:10","slug":"california-approves-program-that-paves-way-for-clean-energy-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leedpoints.com\/green-building-blog\/california-approves-program-that-paves-way-for-clean-energy-future\/","title":{"rendered":"California Approves Program That Paves Way for Clean Energy Future"},"content":{"rendered":null,"protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"Photo<\/p>\n

By Noah Long<\/p>\n[caption id=\"attachment_312625\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"450\"]\"Photo<\/a> Photo courtesy of Shutterstock<\/a>[\/caption]\n

The Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC)<\/a> research, development and demonstration (RD&D) program is needed because California is facing huge challenges—and opportunities—in its electric system: both from the state’s ambitious goals and mandates to reduce the environmental impacts of electricity generation, transmission and consumption and also from the effects of an aging infrastructure. <\/p>\n

The commission approved RD&D investment proposals from Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric and the Energy Commission—which will administer the EPIC program. The program funds R&D for the benefit of the customers of the three largest investor-owned utilities in the state, together accounting for two-thirds of the electricity used in California. In addition, the CPUC adopted metrics and potential areas of measurement for evaluating the investment plans.<\/p>\n

The decision follows the legislature’s guidance<\/a> and decades of leadership from California utilities and the commission, itself, on research and development. The $162 million in annual investments in RD&D will be included in the utilities’ electric rates. Although subject to a misguided legal challenge from Southern California Edison, the commission’s decision means the EPIC program will go forward while a court weighs the issue.<\/p>\n

The state faces numerous challenges and opportunities for which R&D is needed, including reducing carbon emissions from power plants<\/a>; adding and integrating 33 percent renewable energy and high penetrations of distributed generation; continuing to seek and deploy all cost effective energy efficiency; and replacing aging infrastructure including the San Onofre nuclear power plant and outdated coastal power plants that damage California’s ocean waters.<\/p>\n

Meeting these challenges while maintaining affordable, reliable electricity for electric customers will only be possible if California maintains its commitment to innovation<\/a>. The R&D investments approved represent a modest investment in research and development: lower than the average spending level in most industries. Still, they offer a critical opportunity for ongoing, strategic and leveraged investments in our energy future. <\/p>\n

The R&D proposals approved this month have been through a long and rigorous stakeholder process and the commission’s decision is a big win for innovation in energy, which will benefit California’s residents, businesses and industries.<\/p>\n

This piece originally appeared on NRDC Switchboard<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Visit EcoWatch’s RENEWABLES<\/strong><\/a> page for more related news on this topic.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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