To complete our discussion on the development and use of renewable energy resources, and begin the examination of the impacts that economics and policy play we need to examine a past example of how public behavior and private enterprise interact.
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) was tasked with cleaning up the polluted air in California. As early as 1963, this group identified vehicle exhaust as a contributing factor to pollution. At the time, California had a population below 20 million (with less than 12 million registered drivers). This represented (and still does) a large consumer group.
In 1975, auto manufacturers were required to include a catalytic converter on cars sold in California. Because California represented such a large market, the effect of this legislation was that all cars sold in the USA had catalytic converters.
Yesterday, the Governor of California (Jerry Brown) announced new plans for electrical generation in California. His plan is to increase the use of renewable resources from 33% by 2020 to 50% by 2030. For comparison, Colorado has a more difficult to understand plan. Large investor owned utilities (Xcel Energy) needed to reach 12% by 2014 (they did), 20% for the 2015-2019 time period and then 30% by 2020.
I would like you to select a renewable resource and find a piece of legislation that will encourage or discourage its use.
Here is an interesting graphic that illustrates the changes that have taken place in energy production in different states during the last 20 years. This can be a starting point for you.
Tomorrow we will have a class discussion on energy policy.
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