A Breakdown Of The Bills Making California’s Energy Fut…
Contributed by Brandon García | California Director at Advanced Energy United
Edited by Paul Gerke
California’s 2025-26 legislative session showed growing momentum to modernize the grid, expand access to clean energy, maximize existing resources, and tackle energy affordability with every tool in the toolbox. Several new laws signed this year take important steps toward bringing more distributed energy resources onto the grid, giving Californians more options to electrify, and speeding up project development.
Bringing customer-owned energy resources into the market
As part of a multi-year effort, Advanced Energy United successfully championed Senate Bill (SB) 913 and advocated to get it signed into law. Authored by Senator Josh Becker, SB 913 creates a long-term pathway for distributed energy resources to qualify for resource adequacy (RA) capacity.
As it stands, California’s regulations limit distributed resources’ ability to fully participate in the state’s RA program and related resource planning processes. SB 913 changes course by allowing eligible distributed resources to receive credit for the energy they provide to the grid past the customer meter. That opens the door for potentially hundreds of megawatts of abundant, clean, and local energy to contribute to California’s energy supply. Allowing these resources to fully participate in the RA program increases competition, supports grid reliability, modernizes our energy system, and can avoid future unnecessary costs.
My take: More than 70% of Californians want the freedom to use their own energy technology to lower their energy bills. SB 913 will give Californians more tools to money, put more affordable clean energy on the grid, and make our grid stronger and more reliable.
Expanding access to clean energy
Expanding the state’s clean energy supply shouldn’t stop at resource adequacy. All Californians should be able to access clean energy. SB 868, authored by Senator Scott Weiner, expands access to solar energy by streamlining the deployment of portable solar generation devices.
My take: Being a homeowner shouldn’t be a requirement to access clean energy. 87% of Californians agree and want easier access to smart, clean energy technologies. SB 868 is a meaningful step in the right direction, giving renters and apartment dwellers the choice to receive the benefits of clean energy.
Getting more out of the grid we already have
SB 905, also authored by Senator Becker, aims to maximize the existing grid and find ways to serve more customers without unnecessarily building new infrastructure. SB 905 implements reforms for how IOUs are assigned return on equity and finance infrastructure. It also requires disclosure of grid utilization by requiring IOUs to provide that information to the CPUC.
My take: “69% of Californians want to get more out of the grid we already have, and the Governor took that to heart. SB 905 is about utilizing more of the grid we’ve already built so more customers can be served without driving up costs. It’s a common-sense policy solution that holds utilities accountable while finding more ways to make our energy system more affordable.
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Holding transmission developers accountable
Assembly Bill (AB) 2493, authored by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, tackles delays in transmission development that can prevent new clean energy projects from connecting to the grid. AB 493 requires the CPUC to establish a transmission development monitor to track transmission and interconnection project progress and delays, and to direct remedial actions to address material deficiencies within a large electrical corporation’s or a transmission owner’s reasonable control.
My take: California has waited long enough for the clean energy generation and transmission it needs. With 80% of voters saying they want upgrades to move faster, AB 2493 is a straightforward step to making that happen. Holding developers accountable for delays means projects can get built, power can come online faster, and electricity becomes more affordable for all Californians.
Making electrification more affordable
Assembly Bill 2313, authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman, helps customers voluntarily switch to electric appliances by offering them an incentive to electrify while ensuring that the cost to electrify is equal to or less than the cost to replace a natural gas pipeline. Specifically, this bill requires the CPUC to establish a program in which gas corporations must offer residential customers whose service lines are scheduled for planned replacement the option to receive a monetary incentive to permanently discontinue gas service and electrify their home.
My take: The benefits of electrification can only reach all Californians if they can afford to make the switch. AB 2313 gives customers more options while protecting all ratepayers from added costs. This bill provides a practical way to make electrification work for Californians.
Missed opportunity to expand community solar access
On the last day of session, Governor Newsom vetoed Assemblymember Chris Ward’s AB 1813. This would have enabled community solar programs in California by requiring the CPUC to adopt or modify a customer renewable energy subscription program that credits a program participant for electricity generated from a renewable generation facility.
Expanding access to community solar will ensure renters and low-income householders who cannot install on-site solar and storage for technical or cost reasons can still benefit from lower utility bills and access to clean energy.
My take: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?
Keeping California moving in the right direction and building on its clean energy leadership
California’s energy challenges aren’t solved, but this year’s progress shows that state lawmakers are taking meaningful steps to address them. Together, these bills represent meaningful progress toward a more affordable, reliable, and flexible energy system.
Work remains, particularly in ensuring these new policies are implemented effectively and responsibly, and that Californians see the benefits. Read more about California’s energy wins this session and what comes next on Advanced Energy United’s blog and press release.
About the Author
Brandon García joined Advanced Energy United as California Director, where he focuses on advancing policies that strengthen the state’s advanced energy industry. Prior to joining United, Brandon spent five years in the California Legislature, most recently as the Legislative Director for Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes in both the Senate and Assembly, and four years in the private sector with lobbying firms focused on zero-emission infrastructure, transportation, energy, and recycling policy.
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