California Rule Requires Utilities to Derive 33 Percent of Electricity From Renewables

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Air Resources Board adopted a regulation Sept. 23 requiring the state’s utilities by 2020 to derive one-third of their electricity from solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable sources.

Approved in a unanimous vote at a CARB meeting in Sacramento, the regulation puts in place one of the most aggressive renewable energy standards in the country—but one that could be short-lived should voters approve a ballot measure Nov. 2 that would suspend implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (A.B. 32).

The 33 percent renewable electricity standard, which CARB estimated would cut greenhouse gas emissions by ...