California Assembly Passes Signature Energy Affordability and Climate Legislation

Bigger rebates on electricity bills, less pollution, more reliable power, new jobs, billions of dollars in energy savings for California - Speaker Rivas, Assembly Democrats send six bills to the Governor for his signature

For immediate release:

• Nick Miller
• Communications Director
• 916-319-2029
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO - Today, the California State Legislature passed signature energy, climate and affordability bills that will lead to bigger rebates on electricity bills for families and ratepayers, more dependable energy sources and continued national leadership in reducing pollution.

This energy affordability package, which includes six bills in partnership with the Senate and Governor's office, enacts one of the most comprehensive legislative efforts in the country to make energy more affordable and reliable for Californians. This historic accomplishment will:

• Lower electricity bills: Extending "Cap and Invest" is estimated to return $3 billion in Climate Credits every year to Californians on their utility bills, with higher rebates to Californians annually.

• A bipartisan partnership with states across the West on cleaner, cheaper, more dependable energy: Integrating California's grid with western states will save Californians upward of $1 billion every yearon energy costs.

• Create new jobs: These solutions are estimated to create 287,000 jobsthrough 2045. Cap and Invest has already created122,000 jobs , plus nearly 14,000 affordable housing projects, and over $9 billion to benefit neighborhoods hit hardest by pollution the program has already achieved.

• Make significant investments in affordable housing, cleaner buses, safer drinking water, wildfire prevention and healthier air.

• Protect vulnerable communities: The legislation strengthens environmental protections and ensures regulators can act quickly to crack down on polluters and protect public health. It also dedicates Cap and Invest proceeds to support climate change adaptation and the resiliency of disadvantaged communities.

• Stabilize gasoline prices and supply: These proposals secure the safe and affordable supply of transportation fuels to better shield families from sudden increases at the pump.

What Speaker Robert Rivas Says

"Today we advanced the most significant energy affordability package in years," Speaker Rivas said on Saturday during remarks on the Assembly floor. "We passed measures that will deliver real relief for families on electricity bills. We took action to stabilize gas supplies while keeping strong health and environmental protections in place. We extended California's Cap and Invest program, the cornerstone of our climate strategy, balancing ambition with affordability. And we took the first step toward a West-wide energy market - one that will improve and strengthen our grid reliability, drive clean energy and save Californians billions of dollars."

What Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin Says

"California's Cap and Invest program is the strongest, most cost-effective emissions reduction program in the world. Today we reaffirmed our commitment to lead the effort to fight climate change while doing it in a manner that protects Californians' pocket books. As the representative of the Pacific Palisades - where over 5000 homes tragically burned 9 months ago - I want to also remind everyone that the cost of inaction is immeasurable."

What Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris Says

"California has set the gold standard for climate action, demonstrating that we can cut emissions while growing the world's fourth-largest economy. Our constituents tasked us with navigating some profoundly important challenges - lowering sky-high utility bills, increasing reliability to avoid blackouts, and continuing to lead the country in the fight for clean energy. This package, supported by leading climate, business, and labor organizations, does all three."

What Assemblymember Isaac Bryan Says

"Clean, renewable energy is the best way to increase energy affordability in California. As we move forward with our incredibly ambitious - and achievable - goals to phase out fossil fuels, we must also ensure that communities most impacted by the generational harms of pollution and climate change are prioritized. Solving the real challenges in our state isn't easy, but it's necessary. That is what we have done this legislative session"

What Assemblymember Lori Wilson Says

"SB 237 is about facing the reality of change while protecting California families, workers, and communities. As the representative for Benicia, I know firsthand the impact refinery closures have on local economies, union workers, and small businesses. That's why I'm proud to lead author this bill, which takes immediate steps to stabilize our fuel market, strengthen safety standards, and give industry the confidence to invest in safe and reliable operations. I would like to thank Speaker Rivas, Senate Pro Tem McGuire, Senator Grayson, and our entire petroleum working group for their tireless efforts in shaping this policy. Together, we are taking the first of many steps toward a managed transition that secures jobs, protects consumers, and builds a stronger future for California."

What the Legislative Package Delivers

Cap and Invest extension: AB 1207 reauthorizes California's cap-and-invest program and revises how the Air Resources Board hands out free pollution "allowances" to industries. Keeps the twice-yearly climate credit on utility bills, with changes so families see the break during months when bills are highest.

Cap and Invest spending plan: SB 840 sets a new blueprint for how California will spend cap-and-invest revenues starting in 2026: guarantees $1 billion a year for high-speed rail, gives lawmakers $1 billion a year to direct through the budget, and continues support for housing, transit, clean-air programs, wildfire prevention, and safe drinking water. Requires the Air Resources Board to re-evaluate its offset rules and report back in 2026.

Energy markets: AB 825 protects California's clean-energy progress as we move toward a Western power market - replacing outdated rules with clear guardrails so any regional grid participation keeps our lights on, and preserves the state's renewable-energy standards.

Utility Affordability and Wildfire Fund: SB 254 sets up a public financing system to build new transmission lines, allowing low-interest bonds to keep costs down. Bars utilities from earning profit on the next $6 billion spent on wildfire-safety upgrades. Adds $18 billion to the state's wildfire fund to ensure victims of utility-caused fires are paid quickly, with costs split evenly between shareholders and ratepayers of the three major investor-owned utilities.

Fuel Stability: SB 237 enables continued in-state oil production by deeming Kern County's EIR sufficient under California's environmental review law for new Kern County oil wells and freeing up projects stuck in litigation. Additionally, imposes stricter safety tests for restarting old pipelines and adds new layers of environmental assessment for decommissioned pipelines.

Environmental Justice: SB 352 expands real-time air-monitoring networks around refineries, pipelines and other major polluters so regulators and residents have up-to-date data to crack down on violations, improve public health, and hold companies accountable.

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For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels:

Instagram: @caspeakerrivas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CASpeakerRivas/