SB 1148 enables resilience at multi-unit housing, local government facilities (including schools), and places of worship in a streamlined and efficient manner by allowing the use of a master meter. When implemented, SB 1148 will remedy the fact that there is currently no standard or streamlined pathway across the Investor-Owned Utilities (IOU) service territories that allows multi-unit residential housing sites, government facilities (including schools), and places of worship to provision resilience.

The passage of AB 205 in 2022, which requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to authorize an income-based Fixed Charge, threatens to disincentivize energy-saving technologies, resulting in higher rates for low and medium-income customers who use energy most efficiently. The Clean Coalition's analysis has been crucial in demonstrating the consequences of a high Fixed Charge. Our input, referenced by the CPUC in a recently released Proposed Decision, helped keep the Fixed Charge low (compared to proposals for a high Fixed Charge). The CPUC also agreed that our proposed Fixed Charge format based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — a tier for CARE customers, FERA customers, and everyone else — is the correct way to proceed, that there is a need to lower volumetric rates by reducing off-peak rates, and that marginal customer access costs should be included in a Fixed Charge. Additionally, the Clean Coalition's comments have been cited by city governments and legislators. Repealing AB 1999 is essential, because indicated in the CPUC's Proposed Decision, the initial fixed charges are just the beginning -- and the CPUCs trend of obstructing and harming clean local energy is a massive threat to further harms, including via increases to the already oversized fixed charges being proposed.

As California moves towards its clean energy goals, its crucial to ensure that policies are in place to support the widespread deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), enable resilience, and promote affordability for all. In this 2024 Q1 Legislative Roundup, we highlight a series of bills that are currently being considered by the state legislature and inform you on which to support or oppose.

The Clean Coalition was asked to present on its Resilient Energy Subscription (RES) proposal, at a 26 March 2024 CPUC workshop on Community Microgrid Tariffs. During this workshop, Ben Schwartz, Policy Manager at the Clean Coalition, presented on the RES and answered questions from the utilities and other key stakeholders. The RES provides a revolutionary and straightforward approach for financing the establishment, enhancement, and expansion of Community Microgrids to deliver unparalleled resilience to communities.

In partnership with Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), the Clean Coalition curated its Solar Microgrid Methodology into a 6-week curriculum. This practial curriculum equipped 16 students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles, strategies, and tools employed in the development of a Solar Microgrid Feasibility Study. It also set the stage for the curriculum to be repeated in future semesters and adopted by higher education institutions around the United States.