PG&E Plans To Invest In Clean Energy In Oakland

OAKLAND, CA — PG&E announced in Oakland Wednesday a proposal to shut down an old diesel-fueled power plant and invest $40 million in renewable energy as part of the Oakland Clean Energy Initiative.

The existing fossil fuel-based power plant on Martin Luther King Jr. Way is nearing the end of its functional life, and utility officials want to replace it with a portfolio of clean energy projects.

The projects would include battery storage of electricity, more energy-efficient measures in residences and privately owned solar power generation. They'll be upgrading their own power substations in Oakland and
Moraga.

At a news conference this morning near Lake Merritt in Oakland, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan said that a lot of the infrastructure upgrades being proposed would be taking place in her district, and that much of it is in line with the county's action on clean energy and climate change.

"We know that we're kind of going against the tide, as California always does," Chan said.

"I think it's wonderful that California, the County of Alameda and our business partners continue to be a leader in this effort," she added, "even though others at the national level may not recognize this."

State Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, said this initiative shows that creating jobs and adapting to climate change are not mutually exclusive goals.

"In my view this is a win-win," Bonta said. "Any time $40 million gets invested in Oakland and the East Bay that's a good day, but it's being driven by the right values."

The Oakland Clean Energy Initiative remains subject to approval by the California Independent Service Operator, a nonprofit that manages 80 percent of the electrical grid in California and part of Nevada, according to PG&E officials.

Pending that approval, the plan will move forward in 2018 and potentially go into service by 2022.

— Bay City News; Image via PG&E