California Energy Commission Mandates Solar Power

The California Energy Commission on Wednesday voted to "require builders to include solar power and battery storage in many new commercial structures as well as high-rise residential projects. It is the latest initiative in the state’s vigorous efforts to hasten a transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources," reports Ivan Penn.

"The energy plan, which would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, also calls for new homes to be wired in ways that ease and even encourage conversion of natural-gas heating and appliances to electric sources." Because "[h]omes and businesses use nearly 70 percent of California’s electricity and are responsible for a quarter of its greenhouse gas emissions,""the proposals approved Wednesday would reduce emissions over 30 years as much as if nearly 2.2 million cars were taken off the road for a year."

Some cities in California already "have building codes that restrict or ban natural gas in new construction — 49 municipalities in all, according to the Sierra Club — but the changes advanced on Wednesday would greatly extend the push away from fossil fuels." With climate change contributing to some of the state's most devastating fires, residents have embraced solar power as a way to reduce emissions and cope with blackouts.