California Public Utilities Commission
issues new regulations for clean power generation

Supported by Governor

By Jason Bennert, Bay City News Service

January 26, 2007

The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved new regulations that ban state utilities from purchasing power from high-polluting power plants, including most coal fired power plants.

The new regulations are in response to last year's legislation signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that seeks to limit California's contribution to global warming. Schwarzenegger applauded Thursday's PUC action.

"California relies on imports from other states to meet our electricity demands. Today's decision flexes the muscle of California's purchasing power and sends a clear signal to developers of dirty coal throughout the west that we're not interested in their product,''

Schwarzenegger said. "We've made a commitment in the state to clean up our environment and that commitment extends to what we buy from other states.'' PUC commissioners hope Thursday's action will encourage the energy industry to invest in clean burning power generation technologies.

"This decision leaves the door open to new, advanced technologies and carbon sequestration projects that will allow the energy industry to develop clean and sustainable sources of power,'' PUC Commissioner Dian Grueneich said.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

####