SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—California has set a goal of phasing out electricity produced by fossil fuels by 2045 under legislation signed Monday by Gov. Renewable energy experts have looked to batteries that can store solar energy generated in the afternoon as one solution, but the technology is not ready for wide-scale deployment. Another potential solution is pumped storage, in which water is pumped uphill in the afternoon using solar energy and then released through hydroelectric generators after the sun sets. Critics say the renewable energy goal is not realistic and worry individuals and businesses will face higher energy prices. California has met its goal to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels, an accomplishment that relied heavily on building cleaner power plans.

Source: thestar September 10, 2018 17:58 UTC