California Lawmakers Promote Clean Energy Standards

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The California Legislature's Democratic leaders are promising quick passage of bills they say will position the state as the national leader in developing clean energy alternatives and green jobs.

The package introduced Wednesday includes a bill requiring utilities to get one-third of their power from alternative energy sources like wind, solar and geothermal by 2020. The state is currently on track to get 21 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2012.

Supporters say it's important to include the higher standard in state law. The state's air pollution regulators set the standard in September, but a bill with the 33-percent requirement failed at the end of last year's legislative session.

Other measures would speed up permits for renewable energy projects and promote preparing students for future green jobs.

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