California lawmakers set goal of 100 percent renewable energy use by 2045

California lawmakers have adopted a plan for the state to transition to an energy grid devoid of electricity generated from fossil fuels by 2045.

The state assembly passed the bill on Tuesday and it now awaits Gov. Jerry Brown’s (D) signature. If enacted, it would put California on track to become the first state to adopt a power grid consisting of 100 percent renewable energy.

If signed by Brown, the move will also make California the world’s largest economy to commit to relying completely on renewable energy generated from solar, wind and water. California is the world’s fifth largest economy.

{mosads}The bill additionally increases the state’s clean energy goals from 50 percent by 2030 to 60 percent by 2030.

Brown has 30 days to sign the bill.

The vote this week is in tandem with a number of other clean energy pushes in the state, which houses a number of renewable energy companies.

Last week, two Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter to Brown urging him to put a cap on any new fossil fuel projects and set a timeline for a hard stop on oil and gas extraction throughout the state.

Brown’s office responded saying: “Clearly, the world needs to curb its use of oil and the phase out is already underway in California where the state is committed to cutting consumption in half. At the same time, oil production in California has dropped 56 percent.”

Over the past year, California officials have set up the state as a leading voice on climate change as the Trump administration has worked to rollback environmental regulations.

During the same month that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would be weakening Obama-era regulations on vehicle fuel standards that were adopted in close conjunction with California officials, the Golden State announced that it had met its 2020 greenhouse reduction goals early.

The state, along with others, has additionally promised to sue the Trump administration over its roll-back of the fuel emissions rule. California’s Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) has sued the Trump administration over environmental related issues at least 19 times.

Last week, California lawmakers additionally voted to pass a law that would ban plastic straws from being offered at all full-service restaurants in the state unless customers specifically asked for them. That bill is also awaiting Brown’s signature.