Every week, 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.
Generation
New Jersey’s SB 4162, the “Affordable Power Purchase Agreements Extension Act," was introduced May 11. The measure allows public entities, including local governments, school districts, and county colleges, to extend Class I renewable energy contracts from 15 to 30 years while exempting those extensions from certain public bidding requirements. Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the bill into law on August 6.
Affordability
There are no affordability updates for this week.
Large Load and Data Centers
California’s AB 2383, introduced on February 20, requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a distinct retail electric consumer classification for data centers by January 1, 2028. The measure mandates that utilities and load-serving entities file tariffs that prevent cost-shifting to other customers and requires new data centers to sign transmission and interconnection contracts of at least 10 years with early termination fees. The bill was placed in the suspense file on August 3 following a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee. An additional hearing was held on August 13.
Also in California, SB 886 was introduced on January 13. The bill establishes tariffs for interconnecting customer facilities, namely data centers, and providing transmission, distribution, and generation projects without shifting costs to residential and other commercial ratepayers. It also requires large customers to prefund a 10-plus year resource procurement contract, which can be offset by behind-the-meter zero-emission resources, and join a new demand response program. The measure passed the Senate on May 26 and held a hearing on August 5 and August 13 in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Electricity and Market Issues
District of Columbia’s B 661, introduced on April 14, extends tax credits for alternatively fueled vehicles, defined as biodiesel, electricity, and hydrogen, through 2035 and residential EV charging infrastructure credits through 2036. It also exempts public EV charging equipment from personal property tax. The measure passed the Council on July 7 and was sent to Mayor Muriel Bowser on July 30; she has until the end of today, August 13, to sign the measure into law.
Permitting and Siting
California’s SB 954 was introduced February 2. The measure updates California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions for advanced manufacturing facilities by requiring Governor certification, strict pollution and distance buffers, zero-emission backup generation, and labor and community benefit agreements. The bill passed the Senate on May 26 and held hearings in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on August 5 and August 13.
In Massachusetts, HB 5641 was introduced August 4. The measure authorizes the Town of Becket to impose a temporary six-month moratorium on large-scale photovoltaic installations and battery energy storage systems, excluding residential accessory systems, to allow time to study and update local zoning bylaws for ecological protection. The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government on August 4.
GROUPS EVENTS
There are no upcoming energy-related Groups events.
For more information on upcoming events, contact Taylor Beis.
