Many no-regrets bills passed in the waning days of session, but major affordability and clean energy gaps remain
SACRAMENTO, CA—During a busy last week of session in which high-profile energy deals were finalized on topics ranging from cap-and-trade reauthorization to replenishing the wildfire fund, California lawmakers approved manyclean energybills and madeprogress in addressing the ongoing energy affordability crisis, but also fell short on other key solutions.
Topics: Press Releases, Leah Rubin Shen, California
California lawmakers passed two virtual power plant (VPP) bills—AB 44 and AB 740—that now await Governor Newsom's signature, reports PV Magazine. United's Edson Perez spoke to the benefits of VPPs in reducing grid strain, lowering energy costs, and increasing grid reliability, urging Governor Newsom to sign the bills into law.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, California, Virtual Power Plants
Assembly Bill 825 passes the California legislature and now awaits the Governor’s signature
SACRAMENTO, CA—As the California legislative session comes to a close, lawmakers approved a bill designed to allow California to participate in an independently-governed Western electricity market. Assembly Bill (AB) 825, which is now an amended version of Senate Bill (SB) 540, has been sent to Governor Newsom for approval.
Topics: Press Releases, Leah Rubin Shen, California
Virtual Power Plant bills (Assembly Bills 740 and 44) passed the California legislature and now await the Governor’s signature
SACRAMENTO, CA—California lawmakers have taken an important step to address the state’s energy affordability challenges by approving two virtual power plant (VPP) bills, Assembly Bills (AB) 44 and 740, which now await the Governor’s signature.
Topics: Press Releases, California
Funding cuts risk driving away innovation and private investment from the state, exacerbating affordability & reliability problems
SACRAMENTO, CA—As the California legislative session comes to a close, the legislature and Governor have failed to fund the state’s flagship clean grid reliability program, the Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program. This decision risks ending the program altogether, which would mean losing out on more than $200 million in energy cost savings for Californians and extending the state’s dependence on costly peaker plants to meet emergency power needs.
Topics: Press Releases, Leah Rubin Shen, California
Bloomberg Government reports that California lawmakers are pushing for Assembly Bill (AB) 825, which would allow the state to join a regional energy market. United's Leah Rubin Shen highlighted that the bill demonstrates California's commitment to a more affordable, reliable, and sustainable Western energy market.
Topics: United In The News, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California
Surplus Interconnection Bill (AB 1408) passed the California legislature and now awaits the Governor’s signature
SACRAMENTO, CA—As the California legislative session comes to a close, lawmakers have taken a step to tackle the state’s rising energy affordability crisis with the passage of a common-sense energy affordability bill that aims to improve reliability, lower costs, and build a cleaner, more resilient energy system for communities across the state.
Topics: Press Releases, 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.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, California, Virtual Power Plants
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, and make better use of existing clean energy resources.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California
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.
Topics: United In The News, Economic Impact, California, Virtual Power Plants