Environment California Research and Policy Center launches campaign calling for 100 percent clean energy from SMUD by 2030

New general manager must set a high target

Environment California Research and Policy Center

SACRAMENTO — Environment California Research and Policy Center launched a campaign Thursday to get the board of directors for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) to hire a new general manager who will set a goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2030.

The SMUD board is expected to hire a new general manager for the utility in the next few weeks.

“Our utility has a golden opportunity to be both a state and national leader on clean energy,” said Emily Fieberling, fellow with Environment California Research and Policy Center. “If we are going to stave off the worst impacts of climate change, the time to act is now.”

Led by high school and college students, Environment California Research and Policy Center’s 100% Sacramento campaign is urging the SMUD Board to use this unique moment to make setting 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 a required mandate for whomever becomes its new day-to-day leager. This would build upon current law, which requires all the state’s utilities to hit 100 percent clean energy by 2045.

Currently, SMUD operates a handful of fossil fuel generators. These power plants are bad for our health and continue to emit climate change pollution into the atmosphere. (link here)

Momentum in building and public opinion is increasingly trending toward a renewable future in California. Strong majorities  — 71 percent of adults and 66 percent of likely voters — support legislation that requires, by 2045, for all the state electricity to come from renewable energy sources, according to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). 

In September 2018,  then-California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the landmark Senate Bill 100, which set California on a path to generate 100 percent of its electricity from renewable and zero-carbon sources, such as solar and wind, by 2045. In January 2020, California became the first state to require all new houses to be built with solar panels. 

However, more needs to be done — and it has to be done faster — in order to stem the climate crisis.

“Our nation’s leading climate scientists are warning us that we don’t have 25 years to wait to curb the worst impacts of climate change, said Feiberling.  “SMUD has the opportunity to act now. They must do it.”

Quotes from some of our student leaders-

“I am a student at UC Davis studying Environmental Policy, as well as a leader on the 100% Sacramento Campaign. I am urging SMUD to go 100% clean energy by 2030. Climate change impacts must be addressed immediately, and I know we need leaders to show the possibility of proper mitigation. SMUD, please hire a new GM who can bring us to 100% clean energy by 2030.”  Andres Gutierrez

 ” I am a high school senior in Northern California and a leader on the 100% Sacramento campaign. As a founder of an international nonprofit (YCAC) that provides a platform for youth to take action on climate change, I realize that we need to address this issue before it’s too late. I’m urging SMUD to go 100% clean energy by 2030 by hiring a new GM who can bring us to 100% clean energy by 2030.”  Kevin Malaekeh

“As a native resident of Northern California and a student at UC Irvine, on behalf of the 100% Sacramento campaign, I’m urging SMUD to go 100% clean energy by 2030. I’m concerned about the increasingly threatening impacts of climate change and we need leaders now to address its urgency. SMUD, please hire a new GM who can bring us to 100% clean energy by 2030.” Stephen Quang Pham

“I am a third-year Public Affairs student at UCLA and leader on the 100% Sacramento campaign. I am urging SMUD to join the fight against climate change and go 100% clean, renewable energy by 2030. The impacts of climate change affect us all and we need leaders to pave the way for a greener Sacramento. SMUD, I ask that you hire a new General Manager who will prioritize and bring Sacramento to 100% clean energy by 2030.” Emily Mei

For more information about this campaign please visit our website- www.environmentcalifornia.org