The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has postponed a public hearing to consider the adoption of a proposal that would implement a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) of 33% by 2020. This item will be considered at a two-day meeting, which will begin at 9 a.m., Sept. 23, and may continue at 8:30 a.m., Sept. 24.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif., wrote a letter to Mary D. Nichols, chairwoman of the ARB, citing ‘ongoing discussions with legislative leaders to develop a bill that I can sign.’ He went on to say that if no legislation is adopted by September, the ARB will be ready to adopt the regulations at that time.
In September 2009, Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-21-09, directing ARB to adopt a 33% by 2020 renewable portfolio standard (RPS) by July 31 of this year. At the same time, he vetoed legislation that would have established the same RPS. The governor said the legislation would have created barriers to delivering renewable energy and it did not include measures to streamline the state's permitting process.
Public comment will remain open during the postponement period. Interested members may present comments orally or in writing at the meeting, and comments may be submitted by postal mail or by electronic submittal before the meeting. The public comment period for this regulatory action began on June 7, 2010.
To be considered by the ARB, written comments not physically submitted at the meeting must be submitted before noon on Sept. 22 to the following address: Clerk of the Board, Air Resources Board, 1001 I St., Sacramento, CA 95814. Comments can also be submitted via e-mail at arb.ca.gov.
SOURCES: California Air Resources Board, Office of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
