Bill > SB842

This bill requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to produce a comprehensive report by December 31, 2026, focusing on firm zero-carbon resources, which are renewable energy sources that can provide consistent and dispatchable clean energy capacity. The report must identify opportunities and needs for local and system reliability across short, mid, and long-term planning horizons, and will require consultation with the Independent System Operator. Specifically, the report must characterize essential resource attributes for reliability, develop scenarios for firm zero-carbon resource needs, identify priority deployment regions, recognize barriers to implementing these resources (including market obstacles), and propose solutions like new market products or services that could incentivize long-term development of zero-carbon energy infrastructure. The bill recognizes that current energy planning processes do not fully represent or value firm zero-carbon resources, which could lead to suboptimal energy and cost outcomes, and aims to maximize competition and innovation in clean energy markets to deliver more affordable energy for California ratepayers. The legislation also includes a provision stating that no reimbursement is required for potential implementation costs.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB842