Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Transport Electrification topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill requiring larger cities and counties to adopt local electrification plans
Summary
AB 39 would require cities and counties with populations of 75,000 or more to adopt plans to meet local electrification goals for transportation and buildings, with emphasis on disadvantaged communities and renters.
An author presented AB 39, which would require jurisdictions with populations of 75,000 or more to create and adopt plans to meet local electrification goals for vehicles and buildings. The author said the statute recognizes local leadership and allows jurisdictions to build on existing plans rather than produce new ones, and it prioritizes disadvantaged communities and renters who face barriers to installing chargers and electric appliances.
Brandon Wong of CalSTART and Madison Vanderklay of the Building Decarbonization Coalition testified as co-sponsors. Brandon Wong said charging access is a major barrier to EV adoption, especially for residents of multifamily buildings, and called for local governments to identify potential charging sites and address permitting and zoning barriers. Vanderklay said the bill directs local governments to identify and address local barriers to building electrification and support low-income and disadvantaged community members.
Multiple labor groups, utilities and environmental groups voiced support during the hearing; no opposition witnesses appeared in the room. The committee recorded a vote forwarding AB 39 to the Appropriations Committee.
Why it matters: California's climate and clean-air goals depend on large increases in vehicle charging and building electrification; the bill aims to make local governments partners in planning and equitable deployment.
Votes: The committee passed AB 39 on a recorded roll call and referred it to the appropriations committee.
