California

Canary Media reports that Assembly Bills 740 and 44 continue to advance with provisions to expand virtual power plant programs in California, while last-minute amendments stripped away key provisions from Senate Bill 541. United’s Edson Perez warned that California can’t afford to sideline tools that make the grid cleaner, more resilient, and more affordable.

In an opinion piece for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, United’s Leah Rubin Shen urges the California legislature to pass Senate Bill 540, which would allow California to join a West-wide regional energy market this year. She warns that failing to act could leave California isolated from the rest of the West. The benefits of joining such a market would save ratepayers $1B annually, improve grid reliability during extreme weather, make better use of the clean energy resources we produce, and rely less on expensive, polluting peaker plants.

The Bakersfield Californian reports that Assembly Bills (AB) 740 and 44—which aim to further integrate virtual power plants (VPPs) in California’s energy system—are currently under consideration in the State Legislature. United’s Edson Perez spoke to the benefits of VPPs in reducing energy costs, meeting load growth, and increasing grid resilience.

As California’s 2025 legislative session comes to a close, state lawmakers have several advanced energy bills to consider. United’s Edson Perez spoke with POLITICO about how, if passed, these bills could increase affordability, expand access to renewables, and modernize the state’s overall grid.

Assembly Bills 44 and 740 advance in the Senate

California Gov. Newsom, approved a $321 billion state budget that cut about $18 million in previously allocated grid reliability programs and deferred future funding decisions, leaving them in limbo as heat waves strain the grid and federal support is cut back.

The California legislature passed a 3-party deal on the 2025-26 state budget. Despite some progress, California leaders largely sidestep their commitment to critical clean energy and clean air programs.

Canary Media reports on California’s Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program, facing over $100 million in proposed budget cuts, putting the future of virtual power plants at risk. United’s Edson Perez cautioned that repeated funding cuts undermines California’s efforts to keep the lights on during times of grid emergencies.

The California Senate passed Senate Bill 540 today in a bipartisan vote. SB 540 now heads to the Assembly, continuing the momentum for greater collaboration across the West

California Assembly advances VPP legislation that aims to cut energy costs by passing AB 44 with bipartisan support. AB44 is a bill designed to streamline utility use of distributed energy resources

California’s May budget revision invests in key programs, but lacks vision that risks undermining the state’s affordability and reliability goals

The Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 540, advancing legislation that continues to balance diverse stakeholder priorities while creating a pathway to reliable and affordable clean energy.