Senate energy subcommittee advances RD 108 hydropower authority, utility cost-analysis requirement, passive-house study and other energy bills

The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications’ subcommittee advanced seven bills during a lengthy hearing that included testimony from district managers, county supervisors, utility representatives and industry groups.

Assemblymember Aguirre-Curry told the panel that AB 59 would remove a scheduled sunset and give Reclamation District 108 permanent authority to participate in hydropower projects. “Reclamation District 108 provides water to nearly 48,000 acres of farmland in Southern Colusa and Northern Yolo County,” Aguirre-Curry said, and the district needs long-term certainty to pursue small hydropower projects and long-term financing. Supporters including Louis Baer, RD 108 general manager, and Doris Klauspek Smith, chair of the Colusa County Board of Supervisors, said the extension would help lower energy costs and enable investment in canal-based hydropower. The subcommittee approved the bill by voice vote (recorded in the transcript as 10–0 in the subcommittee session).

Assemblymember Pacheco presented AB 61, which would require the Public Advocates Office at the California Public Utilities Commission to analyze the cost and efficacy of proposed legislative mandates that affect electric and natural gas companies before policy committees vote. “AB 61 will provide legislators with independent data-driven analysis about how proposed legislation would affect California utility bills,” Pacheco said. Lourdes Ayon of San Diego Gas & Electric supported the bill, saying ratepayers deserve to see cost estimates up front. The subcommittee moved AB 61 (transcript record: 10–0).

Assemblymember Ward introduced AB 368, directing the California Energy Commission (CEC) to produce a one-time report comparing passive-house certification models and cost-effectiveness versus existing Title 24 construction. Ward described passive-house construction as a high-performance,…