Energy & Environment Bills

Exempts backup generators from emission regulations during state power outage emergencies. Provides tax credits up to $3,500 annually for backup generator purchases from 2026 through 2030. Limits eligible generator purchases to those costing $7,000 or less for homes and businesses.

Requires California to include wildland and forest fire emissions in state greenhouse gas reduction plans. Mandates the Air Resources Board to track and address emissions from forest fires in climate planning. Updates the state's climate strategy without requiring new funding or appropriations.

Exempts student, faculty, and staff housing projects from coastal development permit requirements. Requires agencies to notify the Coastal Commission within 14 days of starting exempt projects. Maintains local government authority to establish coastal development permit procedures.

Requires a state report by 2028 on recycling rare earth elements from electronics and other products. Mandates analysis of technologies and barriers for extracting valuable minerals from recycled goods. Requires recommendations for creating an in-state stockpile of critical minerals for green technology. Directs outreach to scientists, manufacturers and environmental groups for input on recycling strategies.

Increases penalties for recklessly causing fires by making most violations felonies instead of misdemeanors. Mandates prison sentences of up to 6 years and fines up to $10,000 for fires causing serious injury. Requires consecutive prison terms for inmates who commit fire-related offenses while incarcerated.

Extends the Green Empowerment Zone program in Contra Costa County through 2040 to promote renewable energy development. Expands the zone to include four additional cities including Richmond and El Cerrito. Adds seven environmental justice representatives to the governing board. Eliminates the requirement for a steering committee to track program metrics.

Expands state grant program to fund edible food recovery projects and infrastructure development. Provides funding for food recovery transportation and tracking technology. Requires evaluation of food recovery capacity when awarding project grants. Prioritizes large-scale regional projects that maximize environmental benefits.

Requires a study on keeping environmental review guidelines consistent throughout a project's approval process. Mandates evaluation of how fixed guidelines impact project costs, timelines, and environmental protections. Requires submission of findings to the Governor and Legislature by January 1, 2027. Automatically repeals these study requirements on January 1, 2028.

Establishes a state workgroup to study and address toxic heavy metal exposure from wildfires. Requires development of safety guidelines for first responders and impacted communities by January 2027. Authorizes partnerships with universities and research institutions to study wildfire-related metal contamination. Mandates research into bioremediation methods to remove heavy metals from wildfire-affected environments.

Requires new environmental review guidelines for public agencies to assess project impacts by July 2027. Establishes specific thresholds for greenhouse gas emissions, vehicle miles, and noise pollution impacts. Authorizes consultation with government agencies to develop best practices for environmental reviews.

Authorizes individuals to sue fossil fuel companies for damages over $10,000 from climate disasters. Makes fossil fuel companies strictly liable for deceptive practices about climate change impacts. Requires insurers to pursue claims against responsible parties when cost-effective. Establishes an advisory body to analyze climate disaster impacts on insurance markets.

Prohibits large battery storage facilities within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, and businesses. Bans battery storage projects on environmentally sensitive sites like wetlands and high-fire zones. Requires immediate denial of all pending battery storage facility applications. Takes effect immediately due to public safety concerns about fire hazards.

Expands CEQA exemptions by including high-speed rail stations as major transit stops. Allows residential projects within a half-mile of high-speed rail stations to bypass environmental reviews. Requires local agencies to evaluate high-speed rail stations when determining CEQA exemptions.

Exempts small modular nuclear reactors from existing nuclear power plant restrictions in California. Requires state utilities to develop a plan by 2028 to increase nuclear power and phase out natural gas. Defines small modular reactors as nuclear units generating up to 300 megawatts of electricity.

Establishes a new process for local agencies to conduct wildfire prevention while protecting endangered species. Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to review wildfire preparedness plans within 90 days. Mandates 5-year minimum terms for approved endangered species take permits related to fire prevention. Creates a public reporting system for tracking wildfire preparation plans and their environmental impacts.

Allocates $25 million to improve wildfire detection and assessment technologies in California. Designates $10 million for expanding the ALERTCalifornia fire camera mapping system. Funds come from the voter-approved 2024 Wildfire Prevention Bond Act.

Establishes new systems to measure and reduce carbon emissions from forest and agricultural biomass burning by 2027. Requires state-funded forest projects to include scientifically verified biomass disposal plans. Creates carbon credit protocols for biochar and other products that help prevent megafires by 2028. Mandates the inclusion of biomass-based fuels in state energy planning and documentation.

Mandates a minimum 30% reduction in electricity rates for all California ratepayers. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement the rate reduction without additional state funding. Establishes new oversight responsibilities for the Public Utilities Commission to enforce rate changes.

Expands wildfire prevention grants to include evacuation route improvements and mobile water storage equipment. Allocates $135 million for wildfire mitigation projects benefiting high-risk and disadvantaged communities. Requires coordination between Emergency Services and Fire Protection departments for grant administration. Prioritizes funding for projects in communities with highest fire risk based on state assessment.

Streamlines approval for publicly-funded wildfire prevention projects in California forests. Creates alternative approval process for non-commercial forest thinning projects to reduce fire risk. Requires wildfire prevention projects to follow timber operation regulations despite non-commercial status.

Extends indefinitely the sales tax exclusion program for advanced manufacturing and clean energy projects. Increases the annual tax exclusion cap from $100 million to $300 million starting in 2025. Expands eligibility to include nuclear fusion technology projects and overseas manufacturers. Requires projects to promote California manufacturing, create jobs, or reduce environmental impacts.

Requires heavy-duty vehicles over 14,000 pounds to pass emissions testing for state registration. Mandates the first program performance report be published by February 1, 2026. Exempts emergency vehicles, military tactical vehicles, and zero-emission vehicles from testing. Establishes penalties and requires vehicle owners to fix violations within 45-75 days.

Suspends 25% of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund allocations from high-speed rail projects during fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28. Redirects approximately $1 billion in climate funds to water infrastructure and wildfire prevention projects through the General Fund. Requires legislative approval for specific allocation of the transferred funds to water and wildfire prevention initiatives. Maintains existing funding levels for other climate programs including transit, affordable housing, and sustainable communities initiatives.

Establishes the Fusion Research and Development Innovation Hub Program to accelerate fusion energy development with the goal of building California's first fusion energy pilot plant by 2040. Requires GO-Biz to designate at least two fusion research hubs by January 2027, prioritizing locations that support workforce development and diverse technological approaches. Creates a new state fund to provide grants to designated hubs for fusion energy research and commercialization efforts. Takes effect only upon legislative budget appropriation to the newly established Fusion Research and Development Fund.

Authorizes the State Fire Marshal to consult with public agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and other stakeholders between official reviews about actions affecting fire hazard severity zones. Establishes a new process for stakeholders to submit information about fire hazard mitigation actions for consideration in future zone designations. Requires all correspondence and documentation about fire hazard assessments to be posted on the State Fire Marshal's public website. Allows the State Fire Marshal to charge fees to entities seeking consultations or submitting information to cover administrative costs.