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Committee approves AB 388 to ease cross‑site renewable power supply for large electrolysis hydrogen projects
Summary
AB 388 would allow certain large electrolytic green hydrogen facilities to be supplied by dedicated, privately owned renewable generation connected by private lines under safety and labor standards, removing a regulatory barrier to larger-scale hydrogen production.
Assemblymember (author, AB 388) presented AB 388 to enable larger-scale green hydrogen production by allowing on-site and private-line connections between large renewable projects and electrolytic hydrogen plants. The sponsor said California has abundant wind and solar resources but that current regulation (notably section 218) prevents the cost-effective off-site supply of renewable power to electrolyzers. The measure permits narrowly scoped exceptions and requires private lines to meet robust wildfire and safety standards and to be built and maintained by union labor when applicable.
Janice Lin of the Green Hydrogen Coalition testified in support and said the change would unlock large-scale, cost‑effective renewable hydrogen production and create jobs. Proponents argued the bill is a targeted, narrow fix to facilitate electrolytic hydrogen at scale without shifting costs unfairly to nonparticipating customers.
Opponents including Southern California Edison and PG&E expressed concern that carving out technology from the statutory definition of electrical corporation could erode customer protections, complicate grid planning, and raise costs for other customers. Utilities asked for clearer limits on distance, length and quantity of private lines and on tariff and interconnection terms.
The committee accepted amendments and passed AB 388 to appropriations.
