Sen. Dodd’s Community Energy Resilience Bill Advances

SACRAMENTO – With extreme heat and wildfires already straining California’s energy capacity, legislation advanced today from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to help the state reduce its reliance on carbon-emitting generators during disaster-driven power outages by assisting the planning of micro-grids, with a priority on low-income communities.

“Already this month we’re seeing extreme heat and wildfires that threaten California’s ability to provide reliable energy,” Sen. Dodd said. “My legislation will prioritize development of alternate power sources so we can get through these crises and keep the lights on for everyone, regardless of their income level or economic status.”

Senate Bill 99, the Community Energy Resilience Act, calls for the creation of a technical assistance and grant program administered by the California Energy Commission to help local governments develop clean energy resilience plans, leveraging the substantial related investments that have already been made by the CEC. 

SB 99 enables local governments to collaborate with utilities in planning community-scale energy infrastructure such as solar panels and battery storage so that communities -- not distant big utilities -- are deciding what facilities remain energized during a crisis.  Plans are a prerequisite for attracting private and public investments in community energy resilience projects -- particularly important as federal lawmakers contemplate a new trillion-dollar infrastructure package.

The bill was approved today by the Assembly Utilities and Energy committee after previously clearing the full Senate. It heads next to Assembly Appropriations.

Sen. Dodd’s proposal is backed by a coalition of environmental, community and industry advocates led by The Climate Center. Other partners include the California State Association of Counties, the Microgrid Resources Coalition, and the California Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.

“Climate impacts ranging from wildfires to extreme heat events are increasingly threatening Californians. SB 99 takes an important step toward a clean energy future for the state, and we need to make sure that the most vulnerable communities are the first to benefit from this measure,” said Ellie Cohen, CEO of The Climate Center.

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.