CaliforniaCalifornia would ease rules for pump hydro and energy-only power
California regulators would drop an earlier state-funding cutoff for some pump hydroelectric projects and allow energy-only resources to meet procurement requirements when feasible.
What it does
When setting electricity procurement requirements, regulators must allow energy-only resources to meet them as much as feasible. They must consider clean energy goals, storage charging, and resource diversity.
The Department of Water Resources may procure power from a pump hydroelectric facility up to 500 megawatts without requiring it to have received state funding before 2023. Procurement still depends on a commission request.
Argument forCounting energy-only resources toward clean energy requirements could give providers more ways to meet those targets and include a wider mix of resources.
Argument againstAllowing more energy-only resources to meet procurement requirements could make it harder to ensure enough power is available when customers need it.
More detail
The California Public Utilities Commission must allow energy-only resources to meet procurement requirements to the greatest extent feasible. This applies to procurement requirements, including one-time orders and ongoing programs. When setting procurement requirements, the commission must consider how energy-only resources affect clean energy deployment, storage charging during off-peak periods, and resource diversity. This requirement applies when the commission requires procurement under the amended section.
The Department of Water Resources may procure resources from a pump hydroelectric facility without requiring that it received a direct state appropriation before January 1, 2023. The rule covers resources from pump hydroelectric facilities that meet the size limit. The facility may not exceed 500 megawatts. The commission must first find a need for eligible energy resources, specify the resources, and may request procurement. The department may procure only after such a request and before January 1, 2035. The department may procure resources before January 1, 2035, after receiving the commission's request.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 18Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 302, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 18Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 15Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 31Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6973.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 2476 Ellis Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 27In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).Major
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB2476 Ellis By Grove. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 20Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 20Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 20Action rescinded whereby the bill was read third time, passed, and to Assembly.Major
- Aug 18In Senate. Held at Desk.
- Aug 18Ordered to the Senate.
- Aug 18Withdrawn from Engrossing and Enrolling.
- Aug 17In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB2476 Ellis By Grove. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 17Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 5492.).Passed Senate
- Jun 23Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jun 22From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.Minor
- Jun 9From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (June 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 8
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- May 27Referred to Com. on E., U & C.Minor
- May 14In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 2476 Ellis Consent Calendar Second Day. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 5056.)Passed Assembly
- May 7Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.Minor
- May 6From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 6).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 28Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 27Read second time and amended.Major
- Apr 23From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 22).Major
- Apr 22
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 9Referred to Com. on U. & E.Minor
- Feb 21From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
- Feb 20Read first time. To print.Introduced
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