New California Law Gives PUC Leeway to Restructure Utility Rates

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill to promote greater use of renewable energy in California while allowing for changes in how consumers pay for electricity.

    

The Democratic governor said in a signing message Monday that AB 327 will provide "comprehensive rate reform."

CALSEIA Applauds California Gov. Brown For Backing New Solar Law With Signing Statement

The California Solar Energy Industry Association (CALSEIA) was quick to applaud Gov. Jerry Brown for signing into law legislation that he expects will protect existing solar customers while continuing to encourage more consumers to invest in rooftop solar through continued robust incentives for renewable energy. The legislation, AB 327 (Perea), began life as a rate-reform bill and evolved into what has been described as one of the largest solar energy bills in the state's history. It was the subject of much wrangling between solar sector advocates and the state's public electric utilities.

Governor Brown Signs California’s AB 327 Into Law

Today, Governor Brown signed into law AB 327,  a comprehensive rate reform bill authored by Assemblymember Perea.  AB 327 creates more certainty for Californians who want to go solar, ensuring rooftop solar is here to stay in California! We applaud Governor Brown for his vision and leadership in helping to make good on our state’s solar promise.

New Laws Will Make It Easier To Buy And Sell Solar Power In California

Two new pieces of new legislation in California will make it easier for people to both buy and sell renewable energy.

One bill set to be signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, SB 43, will allow Californians who are unable to install their own renewable energy systems (such as solar panels), to obtain renewable energy from their power utility. This bill is set to create the largest shared renewables program, the “Green Tariff Shared Renewables Program,” in the United States.

California Energy Bill Passes, Awaits Gov. Brown's Signature

Lawmakers in the California state legislature granted their final approval to a package of energy legislation. The bill, AB 327, will now head to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk. It passed the state Senate September 9 with a vote of 33-5 after passing the Assembly in May by wide margins.

The bill's centerpiece would essentially remove the "cap" from California's renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS), which is already one of the most aggressive in the nation.