HR 50

WHEREAS, Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, blocking all or part of the sun for up to three hours and creating a more significant darkness than a mere cloud passing overhead; and

WHEREAS, On Monday, August 21, 2017, individuals across North America will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, while individuals within the path of totality, which will stretch from Oregon to South Carolina and beyond, will experience a total solar eclipse; and

WHEREAS, In California, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from approximately 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will obscure 62 percent to 76 percent of the sun during those hours; and

WHEREAS, Californias electricity grid comprises a diverse portfolio of energy resources, with nearly one-third coming from renewable energy resources, the majority of which are solar energy resources; and

WHEREAS, Californians use more solar energy resources to produce electricity than any other state in the nation; and

WHEREAS, In the last ten years, both rooftop and utility-scale solar panels have been installed across California and power over 4.8 million homes through nearly 19,000 megawatts of installed capacity; and

WHEREAS, The California Independent System Operator manages the majority of Californias electricity grid, ensuring safe and reliable operations and keeping the lights on across the state; and

WHEREAS, The California Independent System Operators ability to rely on electricity from solar energy resources during the eclipse will be severely curtailed, along with the ability of individuals to rely on their own rooftop solar energy resources for electricity; and

WHEREAS, Initial estimates show that at the height of the eclipse, Californias production of electricity from commercial solar energy resources could drop by over 35 percent, which is approximately 10 percent of the total needed to power the state; and

WHEREAS, The California Independent System Operator is preparing for the solar eclipse and has crafted a number of strategies to ensure the stability and reliability of Californias electrical grid, despite the lost solar energy production; and

WHEREAS, During the solar eclipse, when solar energy resources will not be operating at full capacity, grid planners may need to dispatch fossil fuel-based energy resources, which will increase the emissions of greenhouse gases and other criteria pollutants; and

WHEREAS, Emissions can be lessened if Californians unplug all unnecessary devices, postpone major energy needs until after the solar eclipse, turn off lights, and use less air conditioning; and

WHEREAS, Californias sources of electricity are changing to include cleaner, more variable renewable energy resources; and

WHEREAS, Individual energy decisions and energy conservation are critical parts of meeting Californias clean energy goals, both day-to-day and during extreme events such as the solar eclipse; and

WHEREAS, The Public Utilities Commission has challenged all Californians to pledge to reduce their electricity use from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on August 21, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Millions of Californians are encouraged to participate in the commissions One Thing for the Sun campaign to reduce the states electricity usage by powering down, unplugging, or going outside, and through actions such as turning air conditioning up two to four degrees, shutting down power strips that are not supplying electricity to appliances in use, or avoiding charging electric vehicles during the solar eclipse; and

WHEREAS, It is inherent for humans to look up at the sky and wonder, and during the solar eclipse, to also plan for ways to reduce energy usage; and

WHEREAS, California will not see another solar eclipse of this magnitude until the year 2045; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly recognizes the Great Solar Eclipse of 2017 and its effects on Californias electricity grid; and be it further

Resolved, That Californians can show the rest of the country that it is possible to take action to proactively manage their energy use and to reduce electricity usage while watching a solar eclipse; and be it further

Resolved, That all Californians are encouraged to take the pledge to reduce energy usage, and to assist the state in reducing emissions during the Great Solar Eclipse of 2017 by participating in the commissions One Thing for the Sun campaign; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.