Peter V. Sperling Commended for Renewable Energy Legislative Victory in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Renewable Energy Accountability Project (REAP) today commended environmental philanthropist Peter V. Sperling for his leadership in the successful battle to establish a landmark law (SB 2X – Simitian) requiring renewable energy goals and standards for all California's electric utilities.

"The generous support that Peter V. Sperling provided the campaign to pass Proposition 7 in 2008 was the catalyst that has led to the enactment of SB 2X – authored by State Senator Joe Simitian and signed into law today by Governor Brown.  California now has a law  -- not a vague regulation or executive order that – requires all of California's electric utilities to provide, by 2020, 33% of their energy from clean renewable resources such as solar, wind and geothermal," commented Jim Gonzalez, Chair of REAP.

"For years the big utilities have joined forces to oppose a real and measurable renewable energy law in California.  Peter V. Sperling shared the vision of Proposition 7 to create a vibrant renewable energy industry for California.  Without Peter Sperling's contributions in the fight for renewable energy jobs, California would not now have a strong law requiring utilities to move from dirty coal and fossil fuels to a clean renewable future," Gonzalez continued.

"SB 2X is consistent with the spirit and intention of Proposition 7, to jumpstart California's renewable energy industry and create hundreds of thousands of jobs," Gonzalez concluded.

Peter V. Sperling is the Vice Chairman of the Apollo Group, the parent company of the University of Phoenix.  Peter V. Sperling's long history of environmental philanthropy includes preservation of California coastal land and advocacy for renewable energy.  In 2003, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sperling contributed $5 million to conserve the Ellwood Mesa, along the last undeveloped coastline in Southern California.  In 2009, Peter V. Sperling was cited by the Sunday Times of London as one of the top ten renewable energy philanthropists in America.

ABOUT THE RENEWABLE ENERGY ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT (REAP):  REAP is a nationwide grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring energy independence and reducing global warming pollution. REAP monitors and reports on the progress of clean electricity generation as we transition away from dirty coal and fossil fuels. REAP Chair, Jim Gonzalez, is a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT REAP VISIT:  http://www.reapinfo.org

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Jim Gonzalez: http://www.profnetconnect.com/jim_gonzalez

CONTACT:  Pablo Rodriguez
510-842-6063

SOURCE Renewable Energy Accountability Project