California’s Giant Leap Toward 100% Clean Energy, Clean Economy Prosperity
When Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 100 this September, California took a giant step toward climate prosperity on the eve of the Governor’s Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco. The act resonates even more now.
Congratulations to Assemblywoman Catharine Baker and fellow legislators who led California, the world’s 5th largest economy, to set a goal of a 100% clean energy grid by 2045 via SB100. This is the greatest gift the pro-SB 100 legislators will ever leave citizens: an upcoming century of California’s clean energy economy unleashed and an answer to our wildfires this autumn.
By sending a market signal that we’ll obtain 100% of its electricity from clean sources by 2045, our state is tangibly encouraging investors, entrepreneurs and workers to build on 529,000 clean energy jobs including 4,351 clean jobs and $468 million in clean economy investments in Assemblywoman Baker’s district alone thus propelling state economic growth figures (per E2’s Clean Jobs America report).
If there was ever an issue made for conservative leadership, climate action would be it. As a state, we continue to face climate change impact costs that grow more significant every year while realizing that prevention is not only much cheaper, but an incredible economic opportunity. Sea level rise in the coming decades will require billions in spending to build sea walls, relocate vital highways, and protect sewer/water/infrastructure along the coast. Wildfires exacerbated by climate change cost us over $845 million this year, and that cost will only rise. And the state’s water system must be revamped, costing billions more to account for dropping snow packs in coming years. Escalating costs like these can be attenuated by smart clean economy policies like SB 100 that reduce carbon emissions dramatically and quickly, while driving economic growth.
The rebuilding of our economy for carbon drawdown via clean energy is already proving to be a significant boon to our state’s economy. $49.2 billion in public, private and investor commitment to renewable energy, efficiency, and clean transportation projects have already flowed into California (according to E2’s California Clean Energy Economy fact sheets). Markets and entrepreneurs respond to long-term signals like aiming for a zero-carbon energy economy by 2045. This accelerated innovation and investment in a low-carbon economy will continue to be a dream for job seekers. One hopes other states will emulate California’s clean energy boom just as they’ve emulated the tech boom of Silicon Valley.
We should all extend profound thanks to both Republican and Democrat legislators who voted for SB 100 and have instigated an upcoming century of clean economy growth and renewal. When Governor Brown signed this historic legislation in September, he cemented his climate legacy and set a shining example for others to emulate in states and countries around the world.
-Mark Bauhaus
Environmental Entrepreneur & 5th Generation Californian
