Every Wednesday, Stateside Associates will feature energy-related legislative, regulatory, and federal programs impacting state and local public policies and proceedings, including upcoming Groups events, activities, and conversations in This Week in Energy.
For more information on our Energy Practice, please contact Taylor Beis.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
CALIFORNIA
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on June 23 regarding the following:
- SB 567: This measure would establish the Gravity-Based Energy Storage Well Pilot Program, under which no more than 1,000 wells may be converted for use as gravity-based energy storage wells.
Contact: Ian Thompson
- SB 88: This measure requires the State Air Resources Board to develop a standardized system, on or before January 1, 2027, for quantifying direct carbon emissions and decay from fuel reduction activities for purposes of meeting the historic baseline emissions.
Contact: Ian Thompson
The Assembly Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on June 24 regarding SB 770. This measure removes a requirement regarding the installation and use of an electric vehicle charging station placed in a common area that the owner is required to provide a certificate of insurance that names the association as an additional insured party.
Contact: Maxwell Klein
The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee will hold a hearing on June 24 regarding AB 93. This measure requires an owner or operator of a data center to submit expected water use on their application when applying for an initial business license or permit.
Contact: Ian Thompson
The Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee will hold a hearing on June 25 regarding SB 804. This measure requires the Public Utilities Commission to create requirements and standards for hydrogen pipelines by January 1, 2028.
Contact: Ian Thompson
MASSACHUSETTS
The Joint Committee on Transportation will hold a hearing on June 24 regarding HB 3649. This measure requires autonomous vehicles to be zero-emission vehicles.
Contact: Maxwell Klein
The Joint Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee will hold a hearing on June 25 regarding HB 4144. This measure is Governor Maura Healey's (D) proposal to lower energy prices across Massachusetts. It modifies numerous portions of law related to energy siting, rate-making, greenhouse gas reporting, net-metering, and building decarbonization. It would also repeal the 1982 nuclear moratorium.
Contact: Ian Thompson
NEW JERSEY
The Assembly Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on June 19 regarding AB 5517. This measure requires the Board of Public Utilities to study the feasibility of deploying small modular reactors including recommendations related to a pilot program.
Contact: Ian Thompson
REGULATORY and LOCAL UPDATES
REGULATORY HIGHLIGHTS
CALIFORNIA
The Energy Commission will accept comments until June 19 on the updated impact study of the benefits of day-ahead markets relating to the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative.
Contact: Marshall Bellando
MASSACHUSETTS
The Department of Public Utilities and Department of Telecommunications and Cable will hold technical sessions June 23 - June 27 concerning utility pole attachments and conduit access on public rights-of-way.
Contact: Genevieve Kaplan
NEW YORK
The Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission will accept comments until June 20 on a proposed 250 megawatt solar array in the Town of Fort Covington, Franklin County.
Contact: Jose Cordero
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
For more information regarding the below local highlights, please contact Stephanie Rojo, Senior Director of Local Services.
ILLINOIS
On June 16, the Effingham County Board considered an ordinance governing solar energy conversion systems. The Board also considered a measure governing wind energy conversion systems with an amendment increasing the application fee equal to $5000.00 per MW of proposed nameplate capacity.
Meeting video here.
MASSACHUSETTS
On June 25, the Boston Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) Team is hosting a listening session to provide the public with an opportunity to comment and provide feedback on draft 2025 BERDO regulations related to flexibility measure application processes, third-party verification, and other existing BERDO processes such as campus-level reporting and emissions calculations. The proposed updates aim to streamline implementation without major policy changes. Key revisions include a tiered schedule for third-party verification, adjusted compliance deadlines, expanded eligibility for solar credits, and clarified agency roles. Other changes address emissions factors, shared system reporting, and alternative platforms like ENERGY STAR. Public comments are accepted through July 15, with final rules expected by July 30.
NEW YORK
On June 18, the Ithaca Common Council will hold a special meeting to consider a Local Law amending Chapter 20, Community Choice Aggregation (Energy) Program, of the City Code.
GROUPS EVENTS
For more information on upcoming events, contact Taylor Beis.
Mid-America Regulatory Conference (MARC)
Circle City Circuit Conference
June 22-25
Indianapolis, IN
Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners (MACRUC)
Annual Education Conference
June 22-25
Louisville, KY
