Source: The Desert Sun
Garcia, who represents Imperial County and the eastern Coachella Valley in Riverside County, said the bill would advance California's fight against climate change in a way that spurs economic development in one of the poorest parts of the state. He sees geothermal, as well as solar, wind and bioenergy, as key to his region's economic future.
"This is extremely important as it relates to economic development, jobs and more importantly, continuing on the path of meeting our 2030 goals," Garcia said, referring to California's goal of reducing planet-warming emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels.
The current version of AB 893 would require California utilities to buy 3,000 megawatts of new geothermal power by 2030 — far more than the 400 megawatts of geothermal that have been built by the Salton Sea thus far. While changes to the bill are still being hammered out, Garcia said the 3,000-megawatt figure will drop. He estimated the bill could ultimately require between 4,000 and 5,000 megawatts of new and extended contracts for geothermal, solar, wind and bioenergy facilities across the state.
