What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is energy that is able to be renewed and energy that does not emit greenhouse gasses or any pollutants. Current renewable sources include solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, etc. All these sources do not emit pollutants into the atmosphere but instead mitigate the pollutants. A current project
that the California Energy Commission is working on is to find and access all
renewable energy sources. The project was created to provide a “first in the
world” solution to address the threats of climate change.
An addition to energy efficiency, Governor Brown is proposing to mitigate climate change over the next 15 years. “Increase from one third to 50 percent our electricity derived from renewable sources, reduce today’s petroleum use in cars and trucks by up to 50 percent, double the efficiency of existing buildings, and make heating fuels cleaner." (Integrated Energy Policy Report). Governor Brown signed AB 8 which extends the program that speeds up the turnover of older vehicles and equipment that allows the investment in the development of advanced technology that is necessary to clean and better California’s air quality.
The state of California is the only state with an extensive use of renewable energy. In 2013, we used about 296,628 gigawatt-hours which is a reduction considering that in 2012 we used 2% more. “Growth in annual electricity consumption is flat or declining in 2013 due to fewer cooling degrees days compared to 2012 and successful implementation of new efficiency programs by utilities” (Total Electricity System Power). Through the use of renewable energy, we are declining the usage of fossil fuels to power our grids.
In California, energy sources that come from fossil fuels are now being converted to renewable sources due to AB 32.The purpose of AB 32 is to mitigate GHG’s (Greenhouse gasses) to meet the levels in the 1990’s. Some of these gasses that are included are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogenous oxide. These gasses are emitted to the atmosphere by the burning and usage of fossil fuels to power transportation vehicles, power plants, and factories. “Specifically, AB 32 requires California’s GHG emissions to return to 1990 levels (427 Mmt CO2e) by 2020, a reduction of approximately 12.5% from current levels (480 Mmt CO2e), and a 40% reduction from projected business-as-usual emissions in 2020 (596 Mmt CO2e) over the next ten years.”
An addition to energy efficiency, Governor Brown is proposing to mitigate climate change over the next 15 years. “Increase from one third to 50 percent our electricity derived from renewable sources, reduce today’s petroleum use in cars and trucks by up to 50 percent, double the efficiency of existing buildings, and make heating fuels cleaner." (Integrated Energy Policy Report). Governor Brown signed AB 8 which extends the program that speeds up the turnover of older vehicles and equipment that allows the investment in the development of advanced technology that is necessary to clean and better California’s air quality.
The state of California is the only state with an extensive use of renewable energy. In 2013, we used about 296,628 gigawatt-hours which is a reduction considering that in 2012 we used 2% more. “Growth in annual electricity consumption is flat or declining in 2013 due to fewer cooling degrees days compared to 2012 and successful implementation of new efficiency programs by utilities” (Total Electricity System Power). Through the use of renewable energy, we are declining the usage of fossil fuels to power our grids.
In California, energy sources that come from fossil fuels are now being converted to renewable sources due to AB 32.The purpose of AB 32 is to mitigate GHG’s (Greenhouse gasses) to meet the levels in the 1990’s. Some of these gasses that are included are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogenous oxide. These gasses are emitted to the atmosphere by the burning and usage of fossil fuels to power transportation vehicles, power plants, and factories. “Specifically, AB 32 requires California’s GHG emissions to return to 1990 levels (427 Mmt CO2e) by 2020, a reduction of approximately 12.5% from current levels (480 Mmt CO2e), and a 40% reduction from projected business-as-usual emissions in 2020 (596 Mmt CO2e) over the next ten years.”