Bills to Electrify Homes, Increase Utility Safety Violations Advance

Gaining ground this week were bills to electrify home water and space heating, mandate that private utilities report potential safety violations, and allow select munis to continue operating young gas-fired power plants they’re paying off.

Over objections April 3, the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee approved SB 1477 by Sen. Henry Stern (D-Canoga Park). It would advance low- and zero-emissions home water heaters and heating units in place of gas-fired devices.

The bill, sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council, aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions from the home building sector. Water heating accounts for about 34 percent of greenhouse gases from homes and space heating about 25 percent.

The bill does not designate a funding source for replacing gas-fired air and home heating with those that are electricity-powered. Stern was quick to note that SB 1477 was a work in progress, adding a funding source is to be identified to help advance the electrification of homes, particularly in low-income communities.

The California Energy Commission also has been striving to do the same, but cost issues are a concern.

When challenged on the possible cost of the measure, Stern noted, “It is not going to solve the housing crisis.”

His measure faced opposition for not being technology neutral. Stern insisted that it does not rule out the use of renewable natural gas

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) said the bill should focus on the commercial and industrial building sector, not the housing sector. “You are chasing the wrong dragon,” said Bradford.

SB 1477 is to be heard next in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

Once a funding source is identified, including possibly the greenhouse gas auction revenue pot, it will be re-heard by the Senate Energy committee.

Also passed on Tuesday by the panel was SB 1205 by Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo). It would require that investor-owned utilities report possible safety violations to the California Public Utilities Commission.

“It is critical to prioritize safety,” Hill told the committee.

Currently, reporting of safety issues to the CPUC is voluntary.

The measure specifically requires the “transparent reporting” of possible violations of rules, orders or laws that impact public safety, utility staff or contractors, and/or that have a systemwide impact or affect large areas. Reporting is also required for fraud, record falsification or deception by utility staff or contractors.

The bill is to be heard next in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Approved too was Bradford’s SB 1110. It would allow three muni gas plants which are still being paid off to stay online even if they impede meeting the rising renewable electricity mandate.

The plants, all built to ensure muni reliability after the energy crisis, are Silicon Valley Power’s 147 MW Donald Von Raesfeld facility, which came on line in 2005, the 160 MW Roseville Energy Center peaker, which started operating in late 2007, and the Redding gas plant’s units 5 & 6. In Jan. 2017, the Redding City Council approved spending $1 million to swap in catalyst emissions systems in the two units to cut water use and greenhouse gases.

Also approved early this week was SB 1410 by Sen. Mike Morrell (R-Rancho Cucamonga). It would space out the CPUC’s required inspections and audits of private utilities from every three years to at least every five years. — Elizabeth McCarthy

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Bills to Electrify Homes, Increase Utility Safety Violations Advance

William J. Kelly

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