July 23, 2004—Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced recently plans to issue a Request for Offers (RFO) to solicit renewable energy on behalf of its electric customers. This marks the companys first renewable energy solicitation pursuant to the State of California Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program.
PG&E has a long history of developing, generating, and purchasing renewable power. The utility currently supplies 13% of its customer load from renewable resources that qualify under the RPS Program and another 19% from its hydroelectric facilities, for a total of 32% of customer load supplied from renewables—one of the highest volumes of any utility in the United States.
PG&E plans to issue its solicitation with the goal of entering into contracts by the end of the year. PG&E looks forward to receiving a broad range of competitive products from prospective renewable energy suppliers. Typical sources of renewable energy include power generated from solar, wind, small hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, and various ocean technologies.
California s RPS Program requires each utility to increase its procurement of eligible renewable generating resources by 1% of load per year, so PG&E anticipates additional renewable solicitations in future years as well. The RPS Program was passed by the Legislature and is managed by California s Public Utilities Commission and Energy Commission.
For information, contact Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
