California's Ambitious Renewable Energy Bill Signed into Law

Governor Jerry Brown on Wednesday signed into law a bill requiring California to produce half its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, a goal he said was key to combating global climate change.

"A decarbonized future is the reason we're here," Brown said at a signing ceremony in Los Angeles.  "What we're doing here is very important, especially for low-income families."

The bill also requires a doubling of energy efficiency in buildings by 2030.

Environmentalists cheered the move even though language to cut petroleum use by 50 percent over 15 years was stripped from the bill after objections from the oil industry and some lawmakers.

"I'm disappointed that we don't have the petroleum piece," bill author Senator Kevin de Leon said after the signing.  "But two measures dealing with the energy efficiency and renewable energy are far-reaching and the most advanced in the world."

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