Governor heightens energy standards

California will be required to derive one-third of its utility powers from renewable resources by 2020, after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order on Sept. 15, according to The Associated Press.

With the governor’s signature on the bill, California now has the most aggressive renewable-energy standards in the nation.

Schwarzenegger signed the order to reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels, he said.

“With this investment in renewable-energy projects, California has a bright energy future ahead that will help us fight climate change while driving our state’s green economy,” the governor said in a statement.

The governor passed the order in response to legislation passed by state lawmakers three days prior, which expressed the same goal but was too restrictive, according to the Governor’s Office.