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Board clears most staff-recommended positions on state energy and housing bills; AB 303 and AB 305 left undecided
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted to adopt staff recommendations on a package of state bills but left two energy bills (AB 303 and AB 305) without a county position pending amendments and further analysis; two supervisors abstained on the package vote.
San Luis Obispo County supervisors voted on staff-recommended positions for a slate of state bills on April 8, approving the package with two exceptions left unresolved for later consideration.
Mia Trevelyan of the county administrative office summarized staff work coordinating with department heads and supervisors to recommend support, oppose or neutral stances on a list of bills. During public comment, speakers including David Weissman of Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility and Linda Seeley of San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace urged caution on AB 305, a bill that would carve an exemption for small modular nuclear reactors from the state's longstanding moratorium language. Representatives from Pacific Gas & Electric told the board some bills on the list raise grid reliability or regulatory concerns.
In the board discussion, supervisors agreed to approve the staff recommendations for most bills. Supervisor Gibson asked that AB 303 (a bill affecting siting and local control of battery energy storage projects) and AB 305 (the small modular reactor exemption) be pulled for separate consideration. Several supervisors said those bills may be amended and requested more time to evaluate edits and safety or waste-storage implications.
Supervisor Gibson moved to approve the staff-recommended positions on the package except for AB 303 and AB 305; Supervisor Paulding seconded. On a voice vote the board approved the motion with two supervisors abstaining from the overall package vote; the record shows the two abstentions were Supervisor Pashong and Supervisor Moreno. The board recorded that on the two pulled bills members preferred to remain neutral for now and directed staff to bring them back later if amendments warrant a formal county position.
Speakers during the hearing included energy-sector and advocacy representatives: Eric Daniels of PG&E outlined utility concerns on several measures and said PG&E and other utilities were evaluating language; David Weissman and Linda Seeley raised nuclear waste disposal concerns connected to AB 305. Board members discussed legal and technical questions, including whether an exemption for small modular reactors should include requirements addressing long-term radioactive waste management.
The board also agreed to remain neutral on several other bills pending changes and to ask the administration to present a refined package when amendments are available. Several supervisors noted their membership on statewide associations (CSAC, RCRC and CSAC) that have coordinated language suggesting "support if amended" positions for certain measures.
The county will carry the board's approved positions to Sacramento during its legislative caucus and return to the board for additional guidance if bills are amended.
