(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The California State Legislature passed a truth in labeling bill authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to provide Californians with simple, uniform information about greenhouse gas emissions associated with their energy use.
Assembly Bill (AB) AB 1110 will uncover dirty power sources much like nutrition labels flag unhealthy ingredients otherwise unknown to consumers. It passed the Assembly today 49-21 following a 26-12 Senate vote last week and now moves to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature or veto by the end of September.
“How clean is our power? We don’t really know and that is why we need a truth in labeling standard,” said Ting. “AB 1110 requires every energy provider to disclose the emission contents of their power so consumers can discern fact from clean power marketing claims. It is vital to enlist consumer choice in the fight against climate change.”
California requires electricity retailers to disclose to consumers the source of the power - natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewable sources - they sell through the Power Content Label. AB 1110 requires the label to include the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their power content. The calculation will be developed and verified by the California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board.
Electricity suppliers are required to include the Power Content Label in all mail and internet advertisements. Consumers must also receive a notification about any changes to the label of their energy provider by October 1 each year.
“If California is going to lead, it needs world-class consumer protections like those included in AB 1110 to reign in misleading marketing claims and ensure that the real impact of clean energy products matches the hype,” said Matt Freedman, Staff Attorney at The Utility Reform Network.
“While California has a long and storied history of protecting the environment, the disclosure of the GHG emissions associated with end use electricity consumption is entirely unregulated,” said Eddie Moreno, Policy Advocate for Sierra Club California. “The consequence of this lack of regulation is the complete absence of GHG emissions information, or at best inconsistent and confusing information.”
Further information about the Power Content Label, including the labels of individual energy retailers, is available here.