California Closes Out Session with Governor Newsom Signing Multiple Energy Affordability Bills, Unlocking California’s Clean Energy Potential

Governor Newsom signs SB 913 into law after more than two years of work to unlock the value of customer-owned energy resources, alongside additional measures to improve how efficiently we use the grid, accelerate clean energy build, and advance electrification

SACRAMENTO, CA—California has millions of energy resources in homes and businesses that can help keep electricity more affordable and the grid more reliable, but they remain underused.

After more than two years of advocacy and coalition building from Advanced Energy United, alongside our business members and coalition partners, Governor Newsom signed Senator Becker’s Senate Bill (SB) 913 into law, creating a long-term, market-based pathway for customer-owned resources like batteries and smart thermostats to support the grid through virtual power plants.

“SB 913 is a major win for California and the millions of Californians who have already invested in the technologies that can help power a more affordable, reliable grid. This victory did not happen overnight,” said Brandon García, Advanced Energy United’s California Director. “It took more than two years of hard work, persistence, and engagement across the state, and we thank Governor Newsom for signing the bill and Senator Becker for championing it from the start. California now has a long-term pathway to unlock the enormous potential of distributed energy resources, and we are ready to put those resources to work.”

Governor Newsom also signed additional energy affordability measures SB 905, SB 868, and Assembly Bills (AB) 2493 and AB 2313 into law.

• SB 905 (Becker) improves the utilization of the existing grid to serve more customers and keep costs down.
• SB 868 (Wiener) expands access to “balcony solar,” which can help renters and apartment dwellers access solar technology.
• AB 2493 (Petrie-Norris) holds utilities accountable for delays that slow clean energy projects coming online.
• AB 2313 (Berman) helps customers voluntarily switch to electric appliances and avoids unnecessary investments in gas infrastructure, saving money for all gas customers.

Unfortunately, Governor Newsom also vetoed Assemblymember Ward’s AB 1813, which would have improved access to community solar. “77% of Californians want renewable energy projects in their own communities, yet Governor Newsom just vetoed a bill that would have made it easier. At a time when Californians are desperate for lower energy bills, why make it harder to access affordable, local power?” García added.

Advancing solutions that better use our grid and expand access to clean energy resources is a significant win, especially as Californians face some of the nation’s highest electricity costs. Advanced Energy United thanks Governor Newsom and the Legislature for recognizing that California can and must do more with the resources we have today, while responsibly building the infrastructure we need for tomorrow. Now, it’s time to put this progress into action and get to work on implementation and ensuring these policies deliver real savings and reliability for Californians.