Now that SB 350 has been signed into law we will found out what SB 350 really costs. The law requires that 50 percent of the state’s electricity comes from renewable sources in the next 15 years and that buildings double their energy efficiency over that time.

Concerns about increased costs to implement this bill were a major part of the debate. Those objecting to SB 350 did not let up on their criticism once Gov. Brown put his signature on the bill.

Senator Jim Nielsen commented: “Senate Bill 350 will drive up the costs for our energy, food and all things that require abundant affordable energy to produce and transport, particularly hurting those California families least able to afford it.”

Senator John Moorlach issued a release that said, “This law should be called the California Economic Cooling Act, because SB 350 puts California’s economic recovery on ice.”

We’ll see if these cost predictions come to pass, and probably soon. But there is evidence that past decisions by state legislators and regulators have increased energy costs.

According to data displayed at the Center for Jobs and the Economy, a project of the California Business Roundtable, California energy continues to cost more than the national averages. With SB 350 now the law, the fear is that what California consumers and businesses pay for energy will continue to grow faster than the rest of the nation. If the burden becomes too great is there any way to undo the damage?

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With SB 350 now the law, the fear is that what California consumers and businesses pay for energy will continue to grow faster than the rest of the nation. If the burden becomes too great is there any way to undo the damage?