2020 Renewable Sources Increased by California Executive Order

The executive order included a provision that renewable energy project regulation be streamlined to allow multiple applications required for a new plant to be filed at once, instead of sequentially -- among other business approaches.

California's Air Resources Board (CARB) had recommended the additional 2020 goal for the state's renewable portfolio standard, and the state legislature still must pass the goal into law.

The executive order requires state agencies to begin preparing for the change. "All retail sellers of electricity shall serve 33 percent of their load with renewable energy by 2020. State government agencies are hereby directed to take all appropriate actions to implement this target in all regulatory proceedings, including siting, permitting, and procurement for renewable energy power plants and transmission lines," the order states.

California's renewables mandate has moved utilities such as PG&E and Edison International to add more renewable power generation, and many new solar power plants and wind farms are under construction.