Southern California Edison proposes clean energy framework for the state

Southern California Edison (SCE), a leading electric utility in the U.S., has proposed an integrated strategic framework for the state of California to meet its ambitious climate and air quality goals.

The approach builds upon existing state programs by identifying cost-effective actions to increase clean energy in the electric system and to leverage that clean electricity in the transportation and building sectors to achieve needed emissions reductions.

California environmental goals include reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 and by 80 percent by 2050, as well as reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other health-harming pollutants in areas of the state with the highest levels of air pollution by 2032.

“Climate change and air pollution are serious threats that will require the state to transform the way energy is produced and used,” said Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, the parent company of SCE.

“California is a global leader in addressing climate change and we will enable those efforts by leading the transformation of the electric industry to better serve our customers, protect the environment and improve public health,” Pizarro added.

The Clean Power and Electrification Pathway calls for the following:

  • Doubling the use of carbon-free electricity from 40 percent today to 80 percent by 2030, supported by energy storage
  • Increasing the use of large-scale, carbon-free generation such as wind, solar and large hydroelectric power plants to at least 80 percent of electricity delivered to customers, continued use of distributed rooftop solar and doubling energy efficiency by 2030.
  • Accelerating the use of electric vehicles, including passenger cars and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, to more than 7 million by 2030.

SCE also proposes additional measures to increase the adoption of electric vehicles and for the electrification of nearly one-third of residential and commercial space and water heaters.

Rajani Baburajan

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