California regulators have adopted the nation's most aggressive clean energy standards for power companies, which will have to get one-third of their electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind within a decade.
The California Air Resources Board on Thursday voted unanimously to strengthen standards that were already among the nation's toughest. Utilities in the state have been scrambling to get 20 percent of their power from renewables by next year.
Board chairwoman Mary D. Nichols says the new regulations will save consumers money while guaranteeing a steady energy supply.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger favors the change as a way to meet the requirements of 2006 law mandating statewide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
