RPS Program Overview

California's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) is one of the most ambitious renewable energy standards in the country. The RPS program requires all electric load serving entities to procure 60% of its electricity portfolio from eligible renewable energy resources by 2030

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) jointly implement the RPS program. The CPUC's responsibilities include:

1. Determining annual procurement targets and enforcing compliance.
2. Reviewing and approving each IOU's renewable energy procurement plan.
3. Reviewing IOU contracts for RPS-eligible energy.
4. Establishing the standard terms and conditions used by IOUs in their contracts for eligible renewable energy.

For a more comprehensive look at the RPS program, please explore the rest of the website. A description of the Energy Commission's roles can be found on the CEC's RPS website. For information about the renewable energy tracking system, visit the WREGIS website.

CPUC Rulemakings

The RPS program is implemented through Commission decisions within the RPS rulemakings. The RPS program is currently implemented through one proceeding. See the RPS Decisions and Proceedings website for more information.

Current: 

• R.18-07-003  - Continues implementation and administration of the California RPS for 60%

Past: 

• R.15-02-020  - Continues implementation and administration of the California RPS
• R.11-05-005  - Continues implementation and administration of the California RPS
• R.08-08-009  - Continues implementation and administration of the California RPS
• R.06-02-012  - Develops additional methods to implement the California RPS
• R.06-05-027  - Continues implementation and administration of the California RPS
• R.04-04-026  - Implemented the California RPS
• R.01-10-024  - Established policies and cost recovery mechanisms for generation procurement and renewable resource development

Legislation, Executive Orders, Energy Action Plans

• In 2002, Senate Bill 1078 established the RPS program, requiring 20% renewable energy by 2017. 
• The 2003 Energy Action Plan I accelerated the 20% deadline to 2010. 
• Senate Bill 107 (2006) codified the accelerated deadline into law. 
• The 2005 Energy Action Plan II examined a further goal of 33% by 2020. 
• Assembly Bill 200 (2005) modified some requirements for electric corporations that serve customers outside of California and have 60,000 or fewer customer accounts in California. 
• Executive Order S-06-06 (2006) established targets to increase the production and use of bioenergy. 
• Assembly Bill 1969 (2006) requires electrical corporations to purchase, at a CPUC set price, renewable energy output from public water and wastewater facilities up to 1 MW. 
• Senate Bill 1036 (2007) modifies the Supplemental Energy Payments process. 
• AB 3048  (2008) makes minor technical changes to clarify code to provide conformity in the Public Utilities Code 
• Senate Bill 380 (2008) amends P.U. Code 399.20 to make the feed-in tariff established by AB 1969 applicable to all eligible renewable generators (previously limited to water and wastewater facilities) and increases the program cap to 500 MW (previously set at 250 MW).
• Executive Order S-14-08 sets a target of 33% renewable energy by 2020.
• Executive Order S-21-09 directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt regulations increasing California’s RPS to 33% by 2020 .