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Committee advances bill to expand eligibility for pumped‑storage hydro in central procurement
Summary
AB 2476 would remove an outdated pre‑2023 funding requirement and expand central procurement eligibility for pumped‑storage hydro projects (keeping a 500‑megawatt cap). Proponents said the change increases competition, reduces costs over long asset lives and supports grid reliability; the committee advanced the bill to Appropriations.
AB 2476, presented by member Ellis, would update the central procurement framework created in AB 1373 (2023) to allow additional high‑quality pumped‑storage hydro projects to be eligible for central procurement consideration while preserving a 500‑megawatt cap and environmental protections.
“Pumped storage hydro is the most proven, efficient and long‑lasting long‑duration storage technology we have,” a project advocate told the committee, describing existing facilities such as the Helms project east of Fresno as examples of durable assets with 75–100 year lifespans.
Supporters representing developers and storage firms said making pumped‑storage hydro eligible for central procurement increases competition in future solicitations and can help lower procurement costs. “By having additional commercial technologies eligible… the PUC… talked about having pumped storage hydro would add additional resources, provide competition, which should help to bring down costs,” a proponent said.
Witnesses described projects that could benefit, including a proposed 400‑megawatt project in Amador and Calaveras counties that would use existing dams and a project labor agreement. Members sought clarity on measurable cost reductions; proponents said increased competition and the long useful life of pumped-storage assets are the primary mechanisms that should reduce long‑term costs to ratepayers.
The committee recorded a do‑pass recommendation to the Senate Appropriations Committee; the measure was later announced as passed by the committee.
