Statement: Energy Commission proposal would boost clean energy transition by considering environmental, social benefits

Proposed decision sides with petition from environmental groups asking state regulators to  consider non-energy benefits for new projects

For Immediate Release:

Thursday, March 7, 2024

LOS ANGELES — The California Energy Commission (CEC) on Thursday released a proposed decision that recommends adopting a public process to integrate societal benefits of clean energy into agency analyses and decision making. The proposal came in response to a petition submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity, Environment California and other organizations calling on the CEC to properly consider these “non-energy benefits” in decision-making. Integrating non-energy benefits will help more clean energy investments pencil out and accelerate California’s transition to 100% clean energy.

California regulators do not typically consider the non-energy benefits of new infrastructure, including land use and impacts on wildlife, impacts to human health and welfare, and resiliency in the face of extreme weather and natural disasters. As a result, decisions on energy investments, procurement, incentives and other planning processes can undervalue energy from clean, renewable resources.

In the proposed decision, CEC staff recommended granting the petitioners’ underlying request that the CEC address non-energy benefits and social costs in its planning and decision-making. The proposal recommended instituting an Informational Proceeding to help the commission incorporate non-energy benefits into their public analyses, policies and programs.

The proposal will be considered at the CEC’s business meeting on Wednesday, March 13th at 10:00 a.m. PT. Environment California is also sponsoring legislation to establish the true value of rooftop solar power by requiring the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to consider all non-energy benefits when determining how to compensate solar panel owners for the electricity they supply to the grid. Public policy that fails to account for the full range of benefits may deter the addition of solar power to the grid. Delaying solar energy additions would have serious ramifications for the environment, public health, and the operation of the full electric grid itself. 

In response, Steven King, Environment California’s clean energy advocate, released the following statement:

“We’re grateful to see the CEC’s interest in properly integrating non-energy benefits into its decision-making. Technologies like rooftop solar panels, energy efficiency improvements, and other clean energy infrastructure deliver robust environmental and public health benefits, among others, that should be considered by state regulators. We look forward to engaging with the CEC and our partners to consider all of the benefits of future clean energy investments so we can transition away from fossil fuels faster.”