Legislative update: Clean energy bills make it to the Governor’s desk

Last week several of Environment California’s priority bills to advance clean energy and protect Californians from the danger of fossil fuel pollution passed both the state assembly and senate. We’re working hard over the next few weeks to make sure the Governor signs these important bills. Learn more below!

Keeping solar growing at schools and apartment buildings

SB 1374 (Becker)— would help address the climate crisis and support California’s transition to 100% clean energy by encouraging solar panel deployment at schools and apartment buildings. The bill would restore the right of schools and apartments to fully utilize their solar installations, promoting clean energy growth, energy efficiency, and cost savings for many more Californians.

Environment California’s Dan Jacobson celebrates SB 1374 passing with Sen. BeckerPhoto by Staff | TPIN

Charting a quicker transition to 100% clean energy by upgrading our electric grid

SB 1006 (Padilla)— would facilitate a faster transition to clean energy by increasing the capacity and efficiency of the state’s electric grid with broader usage of grid enhancing technologies (GETs) and advanced conductors. The bill would have utilities study these key technologies and submit their studies to California’s grid operator, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).

AB 2779 (Petrie-Norris)— would facilitate a faster transition to clean energy by increasing the capacity and efficiency of the state’s electric grid with broader usage GETs. The bill would require CAISO to report on any use of GETs in its transmission plans, including any cost and efficiency savings from these technologies.

Protecting Californians from oil and gas pollution and making polluters pay

AB 1866 (Hart)— would address California’s buildup of dangerous idle oil and gas wells by raising fees for keeping wells idle and requiring that operators plug and clean up a specified percentage of idle wells each year. These measures would make notable progress in plugging and cleaning up idle wells that pollute our air, water and land and threaten the public health of California’s communities.

Environment California’s Dan Jacobson celebrates AB 1866 passing with Asm. HartPhoto by Staff | TPIN

AB 3233 (Addis)— would reaffirm the ability of local governments to protect their citizens and their environment by limiting or prohibiting oil and gas operations in their jurisdictions. The bill would empower local jurisdictions to make decisions about oil and gas development that align with their needs, enabling them to implement stronger protections against the dangers of oil and gas operations.

Environment California staff at a “Make Polluters Pay” rallyPhoto by Last Chance Alliance | Used by permission

Going big on offshore wind

AB 2537 (Addis)— would facilitate more thoughtful and effective offshore wind development by ensuring that coastal families, workers, and communities are informed and actively engaged in shaping offshore wind’s future in California.

Unleashing the power of California’s electric vehicle batteries

SB 59 (Skinner)— would help ensure that electric vehicle owners can use their vehicle’s battery to power their homes, reduce energy bills, and relieve strain on the state’s electrical grid. The bill would authorize state agencies to require that electric vehicles have bidirectional charging capability.

Environment California’s Laura Deehan celebrating SB 59 passing with Sen. SkinnerPhoto by Staff | TPIN

Blocking dirty hydrogen energy production

SB 1420 (Caballero)—  (OPPOSE) would needlessly expedite hydrogen energy projects that are potentially harmful to the environment and public health. The bill would make potentially dirty hydrogen projects, including biomass hydrogen, eligible for CEQA streamlining benefits and accelerate the deployment of this controversial energy source.

Avoiding cuts to solar and energy efficiency programs

Last week we also worked to block a last-minute push to pass AB 3121 (Petrie-Norris), which would have slashed funding for programs that promote solar and battery storage installations for low-income Californians and energy efficient HVAC upgrades for schools. This bill would have siphoned funds from useful programs like the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH), and California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency (CalSHAPE), all to provide a very small one-time credit to ratepayers without addressing the root causes of California’s high electricity rates.

Calling on state leaders to oppose cuts to solar and energy efficiency programsPhoto by Staff | TPIN