Energy Law

David Isham of Isham Family Farm, established in 1871, said that each generation of his five-generation farm has made their mark on the Williston land. His son, Michael Isham, has proven to be no different. He took it over six years ago. The two watched as solar panels were installed on the farm Monday.

"It's supposed to be all automatic," Michael Isham said. "I don't have to do a thing."

The panels, using GPS positioning to track the sun across the sky will produce approximately 1,200 kilowatt-hours a year.

Marin Clean Energy is outpacing Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and the state's other large, investor-owned utilities in the level of renewable energy content it supplies to its customers, according to an analysis of mid-year compliance reports required by state utility regulators.

The 26.5 percent renewable energy that comprises Marin Clean Energy's portfolio exceeds that of PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric by approximately 50 percent, 35 percent and 90 percent, respectively.

State utility regulators require all energy providers to report on their progress in meeting California's goal of providing no less than 20 percent renewable energy ? measured as a percentage of annual retail electricity sales ? by the end of 2010.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday that he would work to help push through an ambitious renewable-energy bill that the state legislature failed to pass before a midnight deadline.

Schwarzenegger said he would work with lawmakers on the renewable-energy bill while negotiating the state budget.

"We can fine-tune that so we get it done," he said, speaking at a press conference webcast from Sacramento where he discussed the outlook for a bipartisan agreement on the state's budget.