Senate Bill to Accelerate And Modernize California’s Aging Grid Passes Assembly Floor

Senator Steve Padilla’s (D-San Diego) legislation, Senate Bill 619, to accelerate California’s efforts to approve energy transmission projects passed the Assembly Floor with bipartisan support by a vote of 57 to 0 for a final concurrence vote.

“California’s climate goals are some of the most ambitious in the world, but our ability to move clean electrons hasn’t changed in decades,” said Senator Padilla. “We can create all of the clean energy we want, but we need a grid capable of getting clean power to consumers.”

The California Independent System Operator has estimated that California will not only require many megawatts of new transmission capacity every year but will also need to accelerate planning, siting, permitting and construction of a modern electrical grid with cost management.

SB 619 authorizes the California Energy Commission (CEC) to certify transmission projects in California and expands upon AB 205 of 2022.

The coalition supporting SB 619 covers many sectors of the California economy with labor organizations and business leaders, environmental organizations and energy producers including the Natural Resource Defense Council, Clean Power Campaign, Sothern California Edison, the California State Association of Electrical Workers, the California Chamber of Commerce, Clean Air Task Force, Independent Energy Producers Association and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

“SB 619  is the session’s most important legislative reform proposal to expedite and streamline the regulatory approvals and permitting for badly needed new and expanded  electric transmission lines, to deliver clean, renewable energy to power California’s electric grid,” said V. John White, Legislative Director for Clean Power Campaign.