The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced on Mar. 12 its ongoing efforts to transition the state’s electric grid to supply all retail electricity sales with renewable and zero-carbon sources by 2045.
This initiative is a key part of California’s climate agenda, as the state aims to reduce emissions and support the adoption of electric technologies such as heat pumps, induction stoves, and electric vehicles. The CPUC plays a central role in ensuring that this transition is achieved while maintaining reliable service and keeping rates reasonable for consumers.
Leuwam Tesfai, Executive Director of the CPUC, said, “The CPUC is working in real-time to make California’s vision for carbon-free electricity a reality and secure a cleaner and more prosperous future for all Californians. Importantly, we are also implementing the least-cost path to decarbonizing our electricity system while ensuring utilities maintain safe and reliable service to customers.”
The CPUC administers the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) program, which requires retail electricity providers to source increasing amounts of their energy from renewables. Senate Bill 100 mandates that at least 60 percent of retail sales come from renewable resources by 2030, with a goal of reaching 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045. Cheryl Lee, Supervisor for Renewables Procurement at the CPUC, said, “Since the establishment of California’s RPS program in 2002, the CPUC has guided policies, enforcement, and programs that allowed California to meet and exceed the RPS and build an electric system that at times can provide 100 percent clean energy.”
Recent actions include requiring providers to procure an additional 6,000 megawatts (MW) of new clean energy and storage capacity by 2032. At least one quarter of this must come from resources with attributes associated with clean firm power or long-duration storage. The CPUC also works closely with other agencies on transmission planning to ensure infrastructure investments align with where clean energy provides the greatest value.
Demand response programs are another focus area for the commission. These initiatives encourage customers to shift or reduce their electricity use during peak periods through incentives or dynamic rates. Such programs help balance supply and demand when renewable generation does not match consumption patterns.
According to the CPUC, these combined efforts have resulted in three consecutive years of record renewable procurement in California and installation of over 17,000 MW of battery storage. More than two thirds of California’s grid is now powered by carbon-free sources. In addition, average daily hours powered entirely by clean energy increased significantly between 2022 and 2025.
Looking ahead, future articles will explore how similar regulatory strategies are being applied across other sectors such as buildings, transportation, and industry as part of California’s broader push toward net zero emissions.
