Energy Resources
Individually, Californians consume less energy than any other state in the Country ( US Per Capita Electricity Use By State in 2003 ). the problem, energywise, is there are an estimated 37 million individual Californians and we are adding 500,000 more each year. So, even through Californians continue to increase their per capita energy efficiency, the State's energy demand as a whole continues to grow significantly, with overall consumption second only to the State of Texas.
California's economy is also experiencing a growth spurt, more than maintaining the State's international ranking as the six largest economy in the world. This dynamic economy depends upon reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound energy supplies.
Supplying these growing California energy demands is a never-ending challenge. The Bureau of Land Management in California is helping to meet those needs from renewable energy (geothermal, wind, solar, biomass) and traditional energy (oil and gas) public land sources, as
California produces a portion of the energy it uses:
natural gas - 16%
petroleum - 42%
electricity - 78%
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well as playing an increasing role in transmission of that energy through powerlines and pipelines that crisscross the State. In 2002, California legally established its Renewable Portfolio Standard program, requiring an annual one percent increase in renewable energy, with the goal of increasing the percentage of electrical generation from renewable energy to 20 percent by 2017. Progress has been significant, and the State now expects to reach the 20 percent goal by 2010, and up to 33 percent by 2020. As a result, California has the most diverse portfolio of renewable energy sources in the country,and BLM is working aggressively to make public lands available to help meet those goals.
California Renewable Energy Action Team Memorandum of Understanding - November 2008
MOU between the California Department of Fish and Game, The California Energy Commission, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service regarding the establishment of the California Renewable Energy Action Team (pdf)
Governor Schwarzenegger Advances State’s Renewable Energy Development
Signs Executive Order to raise California's renewable energy goals to 33 percent by 2020; clears red tape for renewable projects.
Helping to Meet California's Energy Needs
BLM publication, 2008 (pdf)
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