Councilmembers Sophie Hahn, Kate Harrison, Mayor Jesse Arreguín, and Councilmember Kriss Worthington

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1 Page 1 of 6 14 CONSENT CALENDAR February 13, 2018 To: From: Subject: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Councilmembers Sophie Hahn, Kate Harrison, Mayor Jesse Arreguín, and Councilmember Kriss Worthington Supporting SB California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program: Emissions of Greenhouse Gases RECOMMENDATION In light of its reintroduction, reaffirm the City Council s support of the new version of SB 584, SB 100, mandating that all of California s end-use electricity is produced from renewable energy sources by Send a letter to Senator Kevin De León, Senator Nancy Skinner, and Assemblymember Tony Thurmond reaffirming Berkeley s support of this bill. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS None BACKGROUND On April 4, 2017, the City Council unanimously approved a recommendation to send a letter supporting SB 584 to Senator Skinner and Assemblymember Thurmond. SB 584 aimed to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2045 in California. It has since been introduced as SB 100, and successfully passed out of the Senate in July of This item is to reiterate the Berkeley City Council s support for SB 100 and the pursuit of 100% renewable electricity production. In 2017, California produced approximately 30% of its electricity from renewable sources, and is on track to meet the current Resource Portfolio Standard Compliance goal of 33% renewable by The current RPS goals increase to a maximum of 50% renewable energy by 2030 with no less than 50% each year after. If passed, SB 100 would increase the 2030 renewables goal to 60%, and further increase renewable energy goals to 100% by The Berkeley Climate Action plan aims to reduce the City s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by the year 2050, through a number of measures, including shifting to using renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Berkeley is also a participant in East Bay Clean Energy, the Alameda County Community Choice Program launching in 2018, which will offer 100% renewable energy to residents throughout the County. SB 100 is in agreement with Berkeley s climate action goals, and would further reinforce California s commitment to clean energy.

2 Page 2 of 6 The full text of the bill can be read here: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY This recommendation supports Berkeley s Climate action plan of 100% renewable energy and reducing the impacts of climate change. CONTACT PERSON Councilmember Sophie Hahn, Council District 5, (510) ATTACHMENTS 1. Letters to Senator Kevin De León, Senator Nancy Skinner, and Assemblymember Tony Thurmond 2. Support SB 584 California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program - April 4, 2017 City Council Item from Councilmember Worthington and Mayor Arreguin

3 Page 3 of 6 Dear Senate President pro tempore De León and Senator Skinner, The City of Berkeley strongly supports Senate Bill 100 and its ambitious but achievable goal of 100% renewable and zero-carbon electricity by We thank you for authoring this important bill and for actively working to achieve renewable energy for all of California. At a time when the federal government fails to address the threats posed by climate change, it is vital that California continue to lead the way with progressive policies that promote the expansion to 100% renewable energy. SB 100 represents a critical step in meeting the State s greenhouse gas reduction goals and will help to promote healthier communities. The City of Berkeley is committed to sustainability and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, through a number of measures, including shifting to using renewable energy sources like solar and wind. SB 100 is in agreement with Berkeley s climate action goals, and would further reinforce California s commitment to clean energy. We thank you again for your continued efforts in the fight against climate change and for renewable energy. Berkeley City Council

4 Page 4 of 6 Dear Assemblymember Thurmond, The City of Berkeley strongly supports Senate Bill 100 and its ambitious but achievable goal of 100% renewable and zero-carbon electricity by We hope that you will support this important bill and continue to actively work to achieve renewable energy for all of California. At a time when the federal government fails to address the threats posed by climate change, it is vital that California continue to lead the way with progressive policies that promote the expansion to 100% renewable energy. SB 100 represents a critical step in meeting the State s greenhouse gas reduction goals and will help to promote healthier communities. The City of Berkeley is committed to sustainability and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, through a number of measures, including shifting to using renewable energy sources like solar and wind. SB 100 is in agreement with Berkeley s climate action goals, and would further reinforce California s commitment to clean energy. We thank you and encourage you to support this critical bill. Berkeley City Council

5 Page 15 of 26 Kriss Worthington Councilmember, City of Berkeley, District Milvia Street, 5 th Floor, Berkeley, CA PHONE FAX kworthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us CONSENT CALENDAR April 4, 2017 To: From: Subject: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Councilmember Kriss Worthington and Mayor Arreguin Support SB 584 California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program RECOMMENDATION That Berkeley City Council send a letter to both State Senator Nancy Skinner and Assembly member Tony Thurmond urging them to vote yes on SB 584 California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program. BACKGROUND The California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program introduced by California Senate leader Kevin de Leon would require the state to obtain 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2025, and 100% of its electricity from renewables in Senator Leon s ambitious policy challenges the current presidential administration, whose proposals clearly favor the fossil fuel industry. Furthermore, it builds on his original mandate requiring that half of California s electricity be derived from renewable energy sources by There are multiple benefits which would result from enacting SB-584. First, it would aid in displacing fossil fuel consumption within the state, and would reduce air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gasses. This bill would help California meet the state s resource adequacy requirements and need for a diversified and balanced energy generation portfolio. There are just a few of the many unique benefits this bill could provide to California. Supporting this legislation will allow California to continue to lead in environmental policy and sustainability. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Minimal ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS Consistent with environmental goals CONTACT PERSON: Councilmember Kriss Worthington Raja Sutherland MORE INFORMATION

6 Page 26 of 26 Dear Senator Nancy Skinner, The Berkeley City Council requests your support for the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program (SB 584). Proposed by Senate Leader Kevin de Leon, SB-584 makes California even more ambitious in its clean energy goals. This policy requires that half of California s electricity be derived from renewable sources by 2025, and that the entirety of its electricity be derived from renewable sources by SB-584 raises that CA s existing standard of reaching 50% renewable sourced electricity come by Thus, this bill sends the that California prioritizes sustainability, and sees the danger of disregarding the environment in the name of profit-as the current administration s favorable policies toward the fossil fuel industry indicate to the rest of the nation. There are multiple benefits which would result from enacting SB-584. First, it would aid in displacing fossil fuel consumption within the state, and would therefore reduce air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gasses. In addition, this bill would help California meet the state s resource adequacy requirements and need for a diversified and balanced energy generation portfolio. These are just a few of the many unique benefits this bill could provide to California. The Berkeley City Council Dear Assembly Tony Thurmond, The Berkeley City Council requests your support for the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program (SB 584) Proposed by Senate Leader Kevin de Leon, SB-584 makes California even more ambitious in its clean energy goals. This policy requires that half of California s electricity be derived from renewable sources by 2025, and that the entirety of its electricity be derived from renewable sources by SB-584 raises that CA s existing standard of reaching 50% renewable sourced electricity come by Thus, this bill sends the that California prioritizes sustainability, and sees the danger of disregarding the environment in the name of profit-as the current administration s favorable policies toward the fossil fuel industry indicate to the rest of the nation. There are multiple benefits which would result from enacting SB-584. First, it would aid in displacing fossil fuel consumption within the state, and would therefore reduce air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gasses. In addition, this bill would help California meet the state s resource adequacy requirements and need for a diversified and balanced energy generation portfolio. These are just a few of the many unique benefits this bill could provide to California. The Berkeley City Council