California Lawmakers Pass Several Energy Affordability Bills this Session

The California legislature passed bills advancing grid utilization (SB 905), balcony plug-in solar (SB 868), virtual power plants (SB 913), community clean power (AB 1813), utility accountability (AB 2493), and home electrification (AB 2313) bills head to Governor Newsom’s desk for signature

SACRAMENTO, CA—The California legislative session has come to a close, and lawmakers advanced a package of practical, common-sense solutions aimed at making better use of California’s existing grid, expanding access to clean energy, and holding utilities accountable for unnecessary delays.

• Senator Becker’s SB 905 establishes a framework to improve grid utilization, helping increase the use of the existing system so that system costs are spread over a larger group of customers.
• Senator Becker’s SB 913 modernizes resource adequacy rules so customer-owned resources like home batteries and smart thermostats can compete on a level playing field with traditional power sources to provide grid reliability at the lowest cost.
• Senator Wiener’s SB 868 will expand access to balcony solar for renters and apartment residents.
• Assemblymember Ward’s AB 1813 expands access to community renewable energy.
• Assemblymember Berman’s AB 2313 will help customers voluntarily switch to electric appliances and avoid unnecessary investments in gas.
• Assemblymember Petrie-Norris’ AB 2493 requires more accountability for utility delays that are slowing necessary grid upgrades and preventing new clean energy projects from connecting to the grid.

Brandon García, Advanced Energy United’s California Director, issued the following statement:

“California lawmakers deserve credit for advancing these important energy affordability bills and listening to the majority of Californians who want the state to go further in advancing clean energy opportunities.

Advancing solutions that make better use of the grid we already have, expanding access to clean energy resources, and giving consumers more ways to save is critical, especially as we face some of the highest electricity costs in the nation.

We thank the Legislature for recognizing that California can and must do more with the resources we have today while also building the infrastructure we need for tomorrow. Now it’s time for the Newsom administration to build on this progress, keep Californians’ interests top of mind, and sign these bills into law to deliver real savings, real reliability, and more energy choices for consumers.”