California legislators are working behind-the-scenes to create a series of laws that aim to overhaul and streamline the way the state approves solar and offshore wind projects, CalMatters reports.
The legislators are aiming to complete the package of laws before the end of the month, when the California legislative session ends. Lawmakers have been in discussions with Gov. Gavin Newsom, CalMatters reports, and the proposals have not yet been publicly announced by officials.
CalMatters has obtained five draft copies of energy measures that Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire reportedly was involved in drafting. The measures would overhaul how clean energy projects are approved and supported in the state, CalMatters reports.
The proposals would offer incentives for projects and components built in California, create tax credit-based incentives, overhaul local and state permitting, and update environmental reviews for some projects, CalMatters reports.
When reached by CalMatters, McGuire declined to comment on the proposed legislation, but in a statement to the news organization said “the Senate will be embarking on a two-year effort to modernize our grid, expand the number of large-scale green energy plants and storage facilities in California, and kick a modernized permitting process into high gear.”
Earlier this year, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted a plan that mandates the construction of more than 56 GW of renewable generation by 2035, including 4.5 GW of offshore wind, as part of an to reduce statewide annual GHG emissions from the electric sector to 25 million metric tons (MMT) in the same timeframe.
The GHG reduction plan, which CPUC says represents the “most aggressive end” of the range identified by the California Air Resources Board, aims to achieve a nearly 60% reduction compared to 2020 levels.
By 2045, CPUC says the portfolio would reduce emissions by 85%, with a level of 113% clean energy – exceeding 100% because it is based on retail sales and includes exported energy.
