Weekly wrap-up update April 15-19
Weekly wrap-up update- Where is Senator Stern’s bill package?
SACRAMENTO, CA-This week was met with mixed results as SB 1237, 1301, and 1311 were slated to be heard in the Senate Energy and Utilities Committee. There was disappointment, as one decision made by the chair resulted in one of the trio being cast-aside for the rest of the year. Hours before the start of the Committee, the Chair issued a “No Recommendation” on Senate Bill 1237, a no recommendation by any chair is the “kiss of death” for most bills. However, the remaining two bills passed with bipartisan support. Reflecting on our progress, we're eager to share a comprehensive weekly wrap-up of the strides we've made and information at the bottom of what to expect for next week.
METHANE > NATURAL GAS
SB 1237- Was up in the Energy Committee this week and unfortunately unsupported by Chair Bradford. So we pulled it in hopes to bring it back next year. The bill focuses on methane regulation within California by replacing the term "natural gas" with "methane" across all state codes. This change reflects the recognition that not all natural gas is methane and vice versa.
"There is nothing natural about Natural Gas. We wanted to call it like it is and make sure the code is reflecting the truth, changing Natural Gas to Methane. I found out about the chair opposition very late last night and have had to react on the fly as many members have today (Tuesday),” said Senator Stern, about his fight to change Natural Gas to Methane in the CA State Code and choosing to pull it at the podium.
Energy: reliability planning assessment: integrated energy policy report
SB 1311- Passed through the Energy Committee with all Ayes and is on the way to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill aims to enhance the reliability planning assessment and integrated energy policy report processes in California. This bill is a reintroduction of SB 664 (Stern) from 2023. The bill requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to provide additional grid planning information when quarterly updating the joint Reliability Planning Assessment. The bill also requires the CEC to publish and update this information on its website using an online “energy dashboard”.
Natural gas: interactive hydraulic models and feasibility analyses
SB 1301: Passed through the Energy Committee and is on the way to the Senate Appropriations Committee. This addition to the Public Utilities Code, Section 959.5, mandates that natural gas utilities must provide necessary data to the commission for creating models and analyses aimed at ensuring safety, reliability, and cost-effective reduction of natural gas demand. It emphasizes long-term planning and investments. The accompanying section clarifies that no reimbursement is required for costs incurred, as they stem from enforcing the new rule or altering penalties for crimes, as outlined by existing governmental regulations.
Stay tuned for next week: Monday, 4/22 SB 1251, 1508 (EUC) Tuesday, 4/23 SB 1400 (PUBLIC SAFETY), 1444, 1421, 1504 (JUDICIARY) Wednesday, 4/24 SB 1252, 1471 (EDUCATION) Watch hearings: Senate Events | California State Senate