New EV Charger Law, Diablo Funding Bill Goes to Gov's Desk

Legislation to backfill funding for the community that’s home to the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant after it closes in 2025 has been sent to Gov. Jerry Brown to sign into law. The measure also restores funds for employees who will lose their jobs when the plant closes.

SB 1090 by Sen. Bill Monning (D-San Luis Obispo) passed 67-1 on the Assembly Floor Aug. 20.

It provides $85 million in community mitigation funding for San Luis Obispo for Diablo’s closure. Plant owner, Pacific Gas & Electric, is the largest taxpayer and biggest employer in area.

The legislation, coauthored by Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo), also fully funds PG&E’s employee retention fund, adding back in about $100 million. Lastly, it would require state energy regulators to ensure replacement power after the plant closes is greenhouse gas emissions free.

The California Public Utilities Commission in January approved a closure agreement after cutting a recommendation for $85 million in community mitigation funding to replace lost tax revenue for San Luis Obispo.

Regulators at the beginning of the year also unanimously approved $222.6 million of the $352 million for employee retention and retraining outlined in the proposed settlement. Commissioners objected to the full payout because of a large number of expected retirements.

The CPUC also balked at PG&E promising workers the higher amount without first conferring with them.

SB 1090 does not restore the $1.3 billion for energy efficiency included in the joint proposed agreement. It does, however, specify that any power gaps the CPUC decides need filling after the nuclear plant’s closure must not increase greenhouse gas emissions.

In another development, energy legislation signed into law Aug. 20 forbids landowners from keeping tenants from installing electric vehicle chargers at rent-controlled properties. AB 1796 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) goes into effect at the start of next year.

In some cities, such as San Francisco, rent-controlled housing makes up nearly 75 percent of available rental stock. According to Muratsuchi, authorizing installation of charging stations in rent-controlled units would significantly expand EV adoption and use.

This bill removes the exemption allowing owners of rent-controlled units to prohibit residents from installing EV chargers. — Elizabeth McCarthy

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New EV Charger Law, Diablo Funding Bill Goes to Gov’s Desk

William J. Kelly

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