SACRAMENTO, CA— The California Senate passed Senate Bill 540 today with a bipartisan vote. National business association Advanced Energy United, along with a diverse set of coalition partners, is encouraged by the continued momentum on this issue.

The purpose of SB 540 is to allow California utilities to join an independently governed Western electricity market that will enhance energy reliability, reduce energy costs, and accelerate the clean energy transition, all while maintaining California’s clean energy policies. Acting on this policy would also demonstrate California’s leadership and ensure that the state can participate in shaping the regional market infrastructure needed to deliver affordable, reliable, and clean power across the West.

“California can’t afford to go it alone when it comes to meeting skyrocketing energy demand while tackling the energy affordability crisis,” said Edson Perez, California lead at Advanced Energy United. “We need to be able to keep the lights on in the fourth-largest economy in the world without charging ratepayers an arm and a leg. Joining a robust Western regional energy market is essential to keeping energy costs under control while still spearheading the transition to clean energy.”

As part of the legislative process in California, SB 540 will now move to the Assembly, where stakeholders anticipate further refinement. Supporters of the bill remain committed to ongoing collaboration to ensure the final version reflects the shared priorities of the diverse coalition engaged in this effort for regional energy collaboration.