The Renewable Energy Equity Act (SB 489) has cleared both of its Senate Committees with resounding support. The Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee passed it on a 9 to 2 bipartisan vote, and on May 26th the Appropriations Committee voted 8 to 0 in favor.

The bill, authored by Senator Wolk (D-Davis), would include all eligible forms of renewable energy in the state’s net energy metering program. For farmers and food processors who have agricultural waste they want to turn into energy, it removes technical and financial barriers that have been prohibitive to on-farm energy generation.

SB 489, sponsored by CalCAN, has much support from agriculture including the California Farm Bureau, the California Rice Commission, the Almond Hullers & Processors Association, CAFF, CCOF, Ecological Farming Association, and numerous environmental groups and individual farmers.

SB 489 now to the full floor of the Senate on May 31st. Please call your Senator to voice your support!