By Rachel Carton, Legislative Team Member
As California works to meet its ambitious climate goals, the Legislature has an opportunity to advance policies that reduce emissions while protecting the communities most impacted by pollution. At SanDiego350, we support legislation that keeps fossil fuels in the ground, expands affordable clean energy, protects frontline communities, and ensures polluters, not taxpayers, pay for the costs of pollution.
Bills we support
AB 1790: Close Corporate Tax Loopholes
AB 1790 closes a major corporate tax loophole, generating an estimated $3 billion annually to help fund schools, healthcare, nutrition assistance, and climate programs. We support AB 1790 because closing corporate tax loopholes helps fund the climate investments California needs.
AB 2313: Prioritize Electrification Over New Gas Infrastructure
AB 2313 requires utilities to consider electrification before replacing gas service lines, helping customers transition to electric appliances instead of reconnecting to gas. We support AB 2313 because reducing fossil fuel dependence lowers emissions and protects ratepayers from unnecessary infrastructure costs.
AB 2461: Hold Oil Companies Accountable for Cleanup
AB 2461 strengthens financial requirements when oil and gas wells change ownership, helping ensure polluters, not taxpayers, cover cleanup costs. Although the bill was amended with problematic language, environmental organizations are working to remove it. We continue to support AB 2461 because accountability for oil industry pollution remains essential.
AB 2157: Supporting Workers through the Clean Energy Transition
AB 2157 extends California’s existing Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Pilot Program, continuing grants that help workers affected by oil, gas and refinery closures. We support AB 2157 because a just transition means ensuring workers have resources and opportunities as California moves away from fossil fuels.
AB 1813: Expand Community Renewable Energy
AB 1813 updates California’s community renewable energy programs to support expansion, while improving access for low-income participants. We support AB 1813 because affordable, locally generated renewable energy is important for an equitable clean energy transition.
AB 1642: Protect Communities After Wildfires
AB 1642 establishes health-based standards for testing and cleaning up contamination after wildfires before residents return home. We support AB 1642 because climate resilience includes protecting public health.
AB 1448: Limit Offshore Oil Expansion
AB 1448 restricts the use of California’s coastal infrastructure to support new federal offshore oil development. We support AB 1448 because California should lead the transition away from fossil fuels, not help to expand them.
AB 1738: Remove Barriers to Clean Energy
AB 1738 streamlines inspections for rooftop solar, batteries, heat pumps, and other home electrification projects through remote inspections. We support AB 1738 because reducing permitting delays makes clean energy more affordable and accessible.
AB 2175: Expanding access for Micrograms
AB 2175 updates utility regulations to reduce barriers to microgrids, helping communities share locally generated clean energy more effectively. We support AB 2175 because expanding distributed energy strengthens our grid and reduces emissions.
SB 886: Ensure Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share
SB 886 requires regulators to evaluate the grid impacts of large data centers and prevents utility customers from subsidizing infrastructure built for these facilities. We support SB 886 because those creating new energy demands should be the ones to bear the cost.
SB 868: Expanding Access to Plug In Solar
SB 868 removes barriers to plug-in solar systems for homes and apartments. We support SB 868 because it makes clean, affordable solar more accessible, especially for renters.
SB 954: Restore Environmental Review Protections
SB 954 narrows a CEQA exemption adopted last year by restoring protections for communities located near industrial development. We support SB 954 because environmental review remains an essential practice for public health and environmental justice.
SB 327: Protect Ratepayers
SB 327 prevents investor-owned utilities from charging customers for efforts to oppose public power. We support SB 327 because ratepayer dollars should fund reliable service, not utility political campaigns.
SB 222: Streamlining Home Electrification
SB 222 speeds up installation of heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems by improving permitting and limiting HOA barriers. We support SB 222 because removing delays and restrictions helps more Californians switch to electric appliances.
SB 1259: Ensure Refinery Cleanup
SB 1259 requires refinery operators to plan and financially prepare for facility cleanup before closing. We support SB 1259 because communities should never be left paying for the environmental legacy of fossil fuel production.
SB 905: Improve Utility Accountability
SB 905 creates new tools to lower electricity costs while strengthening utility accountability and limiting unnecessary costs passed on to customers. We support SB 905 because California’s clean energy transition must also be affordable.
SB 913: Strengthen Distributed Clean Energy
SB 913 expands opportunities for batteries and other distributed energy resources to participate in California’s electricity system. We support SB 913 because local clean energy improves grid reliability while reducing reliance on fossil-fueled power plants.
SB 943: Fair Utility Cost Structure for Large Users
SB 943 reforms how certain large industrial customers are charged for electricity transmission. We support SB 943 because it improves fairness in utility pricing and supports the transition away from fossil fuels.
SB 1168: Ensuring Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share
SB 1168 directs regulators to evaluate electricity rate structures for large data centers to ensure they cover the grid costs associated with their energy demand and do not shift those costs onto residential customers. We support SB 1168 because electricity pricing should be fair and transparent, protecting households from subsidizing large energy users.
Looking Ahead
These bills reflect the policies California needs to reduce emissions, expand clean energy, protect vulnerable communities, and hold polluters accountable. SanDiego350 will continue advocating for legislation that advances climate justice and helps build a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable California for everyone.