Release: California clean energy bills pass final hurdle before floor vote

Legislation to promote solar power, offshore wind, energy efficiency and protect Californians from orphan oil wells passes key milestone

SACRAMENTO – California legislators on Friday passed a series of clean energy bills sponsored or supported by Environment California through their final appropriations committees, making these bills eligible for a floor vote and bringing California another step closer to implementing new strategies to reach 100% clean energy.

Bills that cleared the appropriations committees would spur solar development alongside California’s highways, enhance port readiness to support the state’s offshore wind development, improve energy efficiency in large commercial buildings, make a plan for producing clean wave and tidal energy, and prevent orphan oil wells.

“It’s encouraging that so many potentially transformative clean energy bills are soaring in the state legislature,” said Steven King, Environment California’s clean energy advocate. “These bills will accelerate California’s transition to clean energy by taking advantage of available locations for solar power, catalyzing offshore wind and wave development, saving more energy, and protecting Californians from the financial and health risks of oil wells.”

SB 49 (Becker), which would have Caltrans develop a strategic plan for siting solar infrastructure, energy storage and transmission lines alongside California’s highways, passed in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. A new report by Environment California Research & Policy Center, Solar power alongside California’s highways, highlights the 4,800 acres of suitable space for roadside solar in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties.

SB 48 (Becker), which would create a plan to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in large buildings, passed in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Large buildings of at least 50,000 square feet represent a small share of all structures but a majority of building emissions and energy usage. This bill will leverage existing energy usage data to enhance energy efficiency in these buildings.

SB 605 (Padilla), which would study the potential of offshore wave power and make a plan to harness this clean energy resource in California, passed in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The constant motion of our ocean represents significant untapped clean energy potential. Wave and tidal power can be an important part of the state’s clean energy mix.

AB 3 (Zbur), which would create a plan to enhance seaport readiness and study the potential for in-state manufacturing for offshore wind power infrastructure development, passed in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Ports will play a critical role as hubs for manufacturing, assembly, operations and maintenance. This plan is an important step in maximizing offshore wind power generation.

AB 1167 (Carrillo), which would require adequate bonding for the full cost to plug and clean up idle and low-producing oil wells upon transfer to new owners, passed in the Senate Appropriations Committee. California has an estimated 5,000 orphan wells and more than 69,000 more are at risk of becoming orphaned. AB 1167 will help provide adequate funding to plug and clean these wells to prevent more orphan wells.

These bills will next be heard on the Senate and Assembly floors, and must pass through their respective houses by Thursday, September 14th.

“We thank Chair Portantino, Chair Holden and all committee members who voted for these transformative bills today,” concluded King. “We look forward to seeing these bills through to the finish line in the coming weeks.”