Assembly utilities committee advances methane monitoring, carbon‑capture rules, utility study, data‑center tariff and wildfire fixes

The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a multi‑hour hearing on several energy and utility reforms, advancing bills on methane monitoring, carbon‑capture pipeline safety, a study of investor‑owned utilities, protections for ratepayers facing large new energy loads and measures to strengthen wildfire mitigation and low‑income energy programs.

Senate Bill 613: methane monitoring and procurement guidance

Sen. Stern(through an Assembly member presenting on his behalf) asked the committee to support SB 613, a measure intended to push the California Public Utilities Commission and the Air Resources Board to prioritize strategies to reduce methane emissions, including from imported oil and gas. The presenter said the bill would allow agencies to "assess and apply approved monitoring measurement, reporting, and verification protocols, such as the oil and gas methane partnership, Biden era standards, or state satellite tracking efforts." A witness from Pure West registered in support; no registered opposition was reported at the hearing. The committee held the bill for a vote until a quorum was present and later moved it forward to appropriations.

Senate Bill 614: carbon capture pipeline framework

Also presented on behalf of Sen. Stern, SB 614 would direct the state fire marshal to develop a state framework for safety rules to allow lifting the moratorium on new carbon dioxide pipelines once the state has safety standards in place. The presenter framed the bill as responding to federal regulatory uncertainty and said the measure "directs the fire marshal to build upon the draft federal guidelines, and allows the state to lift our moratorium in a responsible and safe way." Supporters included representatives of the Carbon Capture Coalition and trade unions; no primary opposition witness was recorded during the initial presentation. The committee moved the bill to natural resources with commitments to adopt amendments.

SB 332: study of investor‑owned…