Sen. Simitian Named 'Person of the Year' for Renewable Energy Legislation

State Senator Joe Simitian has a new title: Person of the Year. 

The Power Association of Northern California selected Simitian, who represents Capitola (among other nearby cities) for the annual honor, which recognizes “an individual who has had a significant impact on the energy industry,” said PANC board member Jan Pepper. The organization will present him with the award Thursday evening in San Francisco.

Simitian received the award in recognition for his work , which requires public and private utilities in California to receive 33 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2020, according to Pepper. 

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu has called SB 2X, which passed last April, a “groundbreaking piece of legislation that would put California at the forefront of the clean-energy economy.”

Simitian passed a total of  in 2011. The award presentation will take place from 6-9 p.m. at Carnelian by the Bay, 1 Ferry Plaza in San Francisco.

Last month, Simitian visited the after naming it the .