Clean energy for California by 2045

California is setting forth some big goals for clean energy. A new bill is in the works to make the entire state carbon free by 2045.

A new bill was passed earlier this year by the senate which has some big goals. J.R. Killigrew with Monterey Bay Community Power says, “So it is a bill that sets forth that by 2045, 100 percent of our energy is going to come from carbon free resources.”

California would be the second state to set forth a goal like this. Being the 5th largest economy in the world, it’s a pretty big deal. But it’s not all set in stone. The bill still has to get signed by Gov. Brown for
finalization. And if passed, the bill would have the short term goal of being 33 percent carbon free by 2020.

Killigrew says, “The government needs to set regulations to help kind of move forward with progress. But at the same time, the marketplace, the business community are seeing the benefit of
renewable energy in terms of reducing cost but also bringing jobs to the state if California.”

What’s carbon free energy? At its core, it is an energy which doesn’t give off any toxins. This happens by storing energy from the sun, the wind, and water. According to Monterey Bay Community Power, it’s going to take the whole state to make this work. “Whether it’s getting an electric vehicle, turning off the lights… But the next big step is to continue to reduce that energy, but at the same time bringing cleaner electrons onto the grid,” says Killigrew.

And in terms of reducing energy… it can be as simple as changing your light bulbs. Which also got more energy efficient.

J.J. is the Specialty Assistant Store Manager with Home Depot, he says the CEC “wanted to
make sure we are using the least amount of energy, and making sure that our houses are as safe as possible. So what they did is they change some of the guidelines and requirements regarding the light bulbs in your house.”

The Home Depot has a complete collection of CEC light bulbs in 200 California stores.