Bills Pass on Diablo Closure Funds, EV Chargers & Biomethane

After debating sticky measures to change fire liability parameters for utilities, the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee approved less controversial measures. That includes ones to restore community and employee mitigation funds linked to the Diablo nuclear plant closure and to increase accessibility of public electric vehicle chargers.

SB 1090 by Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel) would provide $85 million in mitigation funding to the San Luis Obispo community and increase Diablo employee retention funds. The proposed funds were cut from a closure settlement by the California Public Utilities Commission at the end of last year.

The Central Coast community assumed, and will continue to bear, the public safety risk of Pacific Gas & Electric’s Diablo plant while all utility customers reap the benefit, Monning told the committee April 17.

He pleaded for beefing up PG&E employee retention funds to ensure qualified workers remain at the plant through 2025, its current closure date. He seeks to add back $130 million cut from PG&E’s proposed $350 million for employee payouts.

The Utility Reform Network opposed the bill for attempting to overturn a litigated CPUC decision, and potentially setting a precedent for rate recovery in other plant closures, such as the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and old coastal gas plants.

Mark Toney, TURN executive director, argued that funding sources for community mitigation and employee retention should not be limited to ratepayer pockets.

SB 1090 passed 9-1.

SB 1000 by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) seeks to increase installation of fast vehicle chargers, including in the underserved multi-family housing market.

“It promotes basic access to clean transportation,” Lara said.

His bill also would direct the California Energy Commission to set standards for fast charging infrastructure.

It passed on an 11-1 vote

SB 1440 by Sen. Ben Hueso (D-Chino Hills) aims to advance the biomethane market. It would require private utilities to buy 32 billion cubic feet a year of the gas, which would be injected into pipelines beginning next July.

“It would create market certainty while furthering climate change goals,” Hueso said.

The mandated purchase would include methane gas from organic waste, dairies, landfills and food processors.

Hueso’s bill was approved on an 8-1 vote.

SB 1339 by Sen. Henry Stern (D-Canoga Park) would promote installations of microgrids as a means of increasing grid resiliency.

“Microgrids are a critical solution,” said Stern.

These independent mini grids also are an energy solution for large customers and critical infrastructure, added Delaney Hunter, Center for Sustainable Energy lobbyist. “We need every technology and opportunity in response to climate change,” she added.

The bill authorizes the California Public Utilities Commission to allow rate recovery of utility-installed microgrids deemed in the public interest.

The bill would extend the CPUC’s authority over public power agencies, a move vigorously opposed by munis.

SB 1339 passed on a 7-2 vote.

The Senate panel also approved the following bills: SB 1028 by Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) to require gas, electric and water utilities that reap tax savings from the recently enacted federal tax law to return the savings to their ratepayers. PG&E is in the midst of a proceeding that would offset some of its proposed rate hikes with tax savings. The bill passed 10-0. SB 1380 by Stern seeks to improve coordination between the various agencies and entities that allocate clean energy funding. It passed 7-1. — Elizabeth McCarthy

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Bills Pass on Diablo Closure Funds, EV Chargers & Biomethane

William J. Kelly

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