SB 100: CMUA Adopts ‘Support if Amended’ Position on 100 Percent Clean Energy Measure

The CMUA Board of Directors recently approved adoption of a “Support If Amended” position on SB 100, legislation that would set a planning goal of 100 percent renewable energy statewide by 2045, move up the state’s target for reaching 50 percent renewable energy to 2026, and set a new target of 60 percent renewable energy by 2030.
Bill negotiations on SB 100 are expected to continue in the coming weeks before the end of the state Legislature’s session. A coalition of publicly owned electric utilities is working together to develop amendments that emphasizes customer cost impacts and energy reliability. The POU Coalition consists of NCPA, SCPPA and CMUA members.
“Everything comes back to making sure we can do this without raising costs significantly and continuing to deliver the highest level of reliability. It’s all about people, and being environmentally responsible. We’re the ones carrying the torch for consumers,” said Barry Moline, CMUA executive director.
“Our membership is standing up to try to accomplish the goals of the bill, and doing it in a way that addresses climate change and is sensitive to customers’ bills. We want to do right by them,” Moline said.
Some individual CMUA members are moving toward support of SB 100. For example, Imperial Irrigation District recently adopted a support position. Southern California Public Power Authority also has taken a support if amended position. The city of Los Angeles has drafted a resolution from mayor’s office indicating support.
New amendments to SB 100 were put in print on Tuesday. The Assembly recently adopted two amendments proposed by the POU Coalition, and further discussions and engagement is planned with Senate pro Tempore Kevin de León’s office as well as stakeholders. One amendment adopted impacts the State Water Project, and CMUA is concerned about the unintended consequences of the language.
The POU Coalition continues to advocate for amendments to SB 100 that would:
· Create a “robust” study, every four years, of progress and barriers toward the RPS goals and carbon reduction goals.
· Address concerns about stranded costs for existing power plants and other facilities that may see limited use as California pursues the RPS procurement targets.
· CMUA supports changes to grid configuration that would enable utilities to meet the RPS targets. Some utilities today can’t bring in enough renewable energy to their service area because of inadequate transmission infrastructure.
· CMUA is concerned about the potential impacts of a provision that would appear to impose the RPS on the State Water Project. Over half of the State Water Project’s load is clean energy already through hydropower.
“The idea of imposing the RPS on the Water Project needs to be done very thoughtfully because we want to use their hydropower in the most efficient and productive manner,” Moline said. “This issue needs further investigation before taking action.”
