SVP, in Santa Clara, CA has long worked toward increasing its Renewable Energy Portfolio. Therefore it's no surprise the municipal electric utility is already far ahead of green power requirements mandated this week by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Silicon Valley Power Ready to Meet New

California Green Power Requirements

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – September 17, 2009 – The City of Santa Clara's municipal electric utility, Silicon Valley Power (SVP), is well-positioned to exceed aggressive new state-mandated renewable power requirements, according to John Roukema, Director of SVP. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger late Tuesday issued an Executive Order requiring California utilities to progressively increase purchase and distribution of power generated by renewable resources such as wind, solar, and geothermal. These renewable resources together are used to calculate a utility's Renewable Portfolio Standard, or RPS, which is a percentage of the total power delivered to customers from all energy sources.
Under the order, California utilities must increase their RPS to 33 percent of their total annual retail load by 2020.

SVP already provides over 30 percent of its total electricity from clean, renewable sources. "We have long been committed to providing our customers with clean power options," said Roukema. "In January of this year the City Council directed SVP to reach at least 33 percent renewable power by 2020, with the understanding that these are minimums, not final goals."

"Our aggressive renewable policy, which started in the 1980s, has allowed us to stay ahead of the curve and secure market opportunities when they arise," said Roukema, adding that early development of renewables has allowed SVP to keep electric rates far below those in neighboring communities.

Utilizing geothermal, wind, solar and hydro resources, SVP is among the top U.S. cities in developing and delivering clean power to customers. In addition to customary rebates for energy efficiency and customer-installed solar alternatives, the utility offers customers the option to acquire 100 percent renewable energy through the Santa Clara Green Power program. Customers have responded to this voluntary program by buying enough green power to rank Santa Clara third nationwide among 24 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Communities.

About Silicon Valley Power
Silicon Valley Power is the trademark adopted for use by the century-old Electric Department of the City of Santa Clara, California. SVP provides power to more than 50,000 customers, including Applied Materials, Intel, National Semiconductor and Yahoo!, at rates 25 to 45 percent below neighboring communities. SVP also offers customers a 100 percent renewable energy option through its Santa Clara Green Power program and is an active participant in the wholesale energy markets in the Western United States. Visit www.siliconvalleypower.com for more information.

Contacts:
Larry Owens, Silicon Valley Power Immediate Release
Tel: 408.621.5873
Email:
4086215873@txt.att.net
Carol McCarthy, City of Santa Clara
Tel: 408.615.2213