Sep 12, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy Wildfire Fund Bill Includes Disturbing Provision Increasing California Energy Commission Authority to Bypass Local Laws

Senate Bill 254 (Becker) is billed as a measure to save ratepayers money and expedite clean energy permitting; however, a few provisions buried in the 231-page bill will invest even greater power in the California Energy Commission

Sep 05, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy Register Now: Upcoming GO-Biz Webinars on Clean Energy Permitting Announced

Following several months of stakeholder outreach and focus group engagement, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has announced upcoming webinars discussing resources and tools available

Jul 11, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 531 – Geothermal Project Permitting

Assembly Bill 531, authored by Assembly Member Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa), seeks to usurp local land use authority for smaller geothermal energy projects under 50MW by allowing developers to bypass local governments and seek approval through the California Energy Commission’s AB 205 opt-in permitting process. 

Apr 25, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy DOI Implements Emergency Permitting Procedures to Strengthen Domestic Energy Supply

In response to President Trump’s declaration of a National Energy Emergency, the U.S. Department of the Interior will implement emergency permitting procedures to accelerate the development of domestic energy resources and critical minerals. These measures are designed

Apr 25, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy Senate Energy Affordability Proposal Extends and Expands Energy Commission’s AB 205 Opt-In Permitting Program that Bypasses Local Permitting Processes

This week, the Senate announced a legislative package intended to increase affordability related to energy, housing, and workforce.  Amendments to the energy bill, Senate Bill 254 (Becker, D-Menlo Park), make a number of changes to address permitting challenges and affordability, but also make several significant changes to the Energy Commission’s AB 205 opt-in permitting program

Apr 11, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy PG&E Releases 2026-2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan

On Friday, April 4th, PG&E filed its comprehensive 2026-2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) with regulators

Mar 07, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy Join GO-Biz to Discuss Battery Energy Storage Permitting

On Wednesday, March 26, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is hosting a webinar bringing together state and local planning authorities and other industry leaders to discuss Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) permitting

Feb 28, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy CPUC Discusses Reliability Thresholds and Reporting Improvements on Power Outages

On Friday, February 21st, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) held an all-day workshop to consider changes to existing policies regarding the safety and reliability of electrical distribution systems. Factors such as

Feb 28, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy Little Hoover Commission Begins Hearings on Energy Affordability

On Thursday, February 27th, the Little Hoover Commission conducted the first of several hearings on electricity costs.  At the hearing, Severin Borenstein from UC Berkeley and Matthew Freedman from The Utility Reform Network were joined by RCRC’s John Kennedy and Leigh Kammerich to discuss the state’s rising energy costs, the factors influencing those increases, and a range of potential legislative and regulatory solutions.

Jan 31, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy CPUC Releases Safety Updates for Energy Storage Systems and Electric Generation Facilities

On Monday, January 27th, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a Draft Resolution (ESRB-13) to enhance the safety and reliability of electric generation and energy storage facilities by updating CPUC General Order 167. The Draft Resolution...