After I began with Union of Involved Scientists again in January, the California legislative session was simply ramping up. As invoice introductions trickled in, it grew to become clear there can be loads of alternatives for UCS to leverage our science-based analysis to tell world-leading coverage options.
Because the trickle of payments grew to become a dashing river of committee hearings, price range negotiations, and ground votes, not solely did we keep afloat, however we constructed a strong, evidence-backed raft that may preserve us skillfully navigating the treacherous white waters of the California legislature.
Now that I’ve reached the extent of my white-water rafting information, here’s a recap of our very productive session:
Electrical automobile directionality stalled however will return
UCS co-sponsored Senator Nancy Skinner’s Senate Invoice 233 (SB 233) which might have required all electrical automobiles to be bidirectional by 2030. Bidirectional means the battery in your electrical automobile powers the automobile (one course) and will present energy on your dwelling, home equipment, energy instruments, and even the grid (the second course). Bidirectional succesful EVs might present big advantages to Californians when the ability goes out or when the grid is strained by excessive electrical energy demand.
The invoice stalled on the very finish of session, however the UCS will proceed to work to advance bidirectional charging in California.
Funding for zero-emission automobile and charging was renewed
UCS joined a broad coalition of environmental, environmental justice, enterprise and public well being teams to push for the extension of car registration charges that may fund $170 million yearly for zero-emission automobile incentives and charging infrastructure.
After months of negotiations, at 11:40 pm on the final evening of session, Meeting Invoice 126 (Reyes) handed the Meeting ground and now sits on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature!
This laws additionally included essential updates to the price program that may guarantee these funds are spent within the communities that want them essentially the most.
California’s vehicles cleaned up and defended
Talking of automobiles, over the previous two years, UCS advocated for the California Air Assets Board to strengthen and ultimately undertake the Superior Clear Fleets rule, which it did earlier this yr. This regulation requires 100% of recent medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (something from supply vans to large rigs) offered in California to be zero emissions by 2036 and 100% of huge fleets to be zero emissions by 2045.
Picture courtesy of CARB
Earlier than we even had an opportunity to rejoice that historic victory, {industry} pursuits compelled us to (efficiently) push again towards a invoice that may have exempted a big swath of California from complying with the rule. That invoice included an audit that might have undermined the rule earlier than it was even finalized.
There shall be extra industry-led efforts to undermine the lifesaving, local weather crisis-slowing Superior Clear Fleets rule and we shall be able to cease them of their tracks.
An essential step taken in direction of getting water rights proper
California’s water rights system is outdated, unjust, and must be reformed. We supported three payments this yr to provide the state extra oversight and enforcement energy over senior water rights holders, who additionally occur to be among the many strongest company pursuits within the state.
Senate Invoice 389, which merely would give the State Water Board the long-overdue authority to substantiate that water rights holders have the water rights they are saying they do, handed the legislature and is on the governor’s desk.
The remaining payments, Meeting Invoice 460 and Meeting Invoice 1337, had been unable to make it out of the Senate Pure Assets and Water committee. They’re nonetheless alive and could be superior subsequent session; We is not going to cease working to go them.
To regionalize or to not regionalize stays unanswered
Early within the legislative session, Assemblymember Chris Holden launched Meeting Invoice 538 which might have modified the governance of the California’s grid operator from a governor-appointed board to an impartial construction that may permit for a extra coordinated, region-wide grid.
UCS served as a useful resource to stakeholders, legislators, and legislative employees on all sides of this invoice by writing an in depth coverage temporary explaining the dangers and advantages of the proposal. Regionalizing the grid might permit California to benefit from renewable power in different states similar to wind energy from Wyoming and hydropower within the Pacific Northwest. But it surely additionally would require California to surrender a few of its power autonomy.
Finally, the invoice didn’t go, however the concept lives on and UCS plans to remain engaged in a multi-state initiative to chart a considerate path in direction of regional grid coordination.
A win for offshore wind, geothermal energy, and long-duration storage
UCS supported Meeting Invoice 1373 by Assemblymember Eduardo García. This invoice would create a Central Procurement Entity that may permit the state to buy renewable power sources which are usually uncared for by utilities as a result of they take a very long time to develop and are too large for a single utility to tackle by itself. These sources embody offshore wind, geothermal, and lengthy length storage similar to pumped hydro.
This invoice handed each the Meeting and Senate with extensive margins and the governor has already been vocal about his help.
California takes a world-leading stance on company accountability
Simply earlier than Governor Newsom and Lawyer Common Bonta introduced California’s historic lawsuit towards main fossil gas producers in September, the California legislature handed two payments that may additional assist the state maintain giant companies accountable.
Senate Invoice 253 by Senator Scott Wiener would require giant companies to transparently disclose the greenhouse gasoline emission related to their total provide chain. And Senate Invoice 261 by Senator Henry Stern would require these corporations to publicly disclose their climate-related monetary danger.
UCS supported these payments. We joined three different environmental organizations who’re working to advance a rule on these points by means of the Securities and Trade Fee. We’re urging the governor to steer the nation and signal these payments. He has since publicly pledged to take action.
Be able to take motion
UCS goes to maintain pushing for the strongest, science-backed public insurance policies potential in California. The legislature is taking some much-needed day off, however will probably be again in January 2024. We’ll preserve you up to date through our blogs, however please additionally regulate your inbox for alternatives to name your legislators or submit feedback to companies.
Daniel Barad, the Western States Coverage Supervisor for the Union of Involved Scientists. Courtesy of Union of Involved Scientists, The Equation.
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