SB-453
Energy & Environment

Microgrid incentive program.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires utilities to report on microgrid incentive funding status to state regulators by January 2026.
  • Prioritizes unspent microgrid funds for areas experiencing multiple power shutoffs.
  • Directs funding to vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure during power outages.
  • Allows regulators to appoint third-party administrators to manage the microgrid program.

Summary

Senator Stern's microgrid legislation requires electrical corporations to report on the status of awarded and unallocated Microgrid Incentive Program funds to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by January 2026. The measure directs the PUC to review these fund allocations and determine whether additional actions could advance the program's implementation.

Upon reviewing the fund status, the PUC would evaluate using third-party administrators to manage the program. The commission would also ensure that any remaining unallocated funds target areas that have experienced multiple deenergization events, with specific focus on vulnerable communities and operators of critical infrastructure. The bill defines vulnerable populations to include those who rely on electric medical devices and refrigerated medications.

The measure builds upon existing microgrid commercialization efforts established through prior PUC decisions, while adding new oversight and fund allocation requirements. Any violations of PUC directives under this program would constitute a crime under state law, though the bill specifies that no state reimbursement would be required for associated local costs.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 437
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB453 Stern
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tasha Boerner HorvathD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 19 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Tasha Boerner HorvathD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Joe PattersonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Pilar SchiavoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Greg WallisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Chris RogersD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
David TangipaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Henry Stern
Henry SternD
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 4, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
390140PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires utilities to report on microgrid incentive funding status to state regulators by January 2026.
  • Prioritizes unspent microgrid funds for areas experiencing multiple power shutoffs.
  • Directs funding to vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure during power outages.
  • Allows regulators to appoint third-party administrators to manage the microgrid program.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Henry Stern
Henry SternD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Stern's microgrid legislation requires electrical corporations to report on the status of awarded and unallocated Microgrid Incentive Program funds to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by January 2026. The measure directs the PUC to review these fund allocations and determine whether additional actions could advance the program's implementation.

Upon reviewing the fund status, the PUC would evaluate using third-party administrators to manage the program. The commission would also ensure that any remaining unallocated funds target areas that have experienced multiple deenergization events, with specific focus on vulnerable communities and operators of critical infrastructure. The bill defines vulnerable populations to include those who rely on electric medical devices and refrigerated medications.

The measure builds upon existing microgrid commercialization efforts established through prior PUC decisions, while adding new oversight and fund allocation requirements. Any violations of PUC directives under this program would constitute a crime under state law, though the bill specifies that no state reimbursement would be required for associated local costs.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 437
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB453 Stern
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 4, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
390140PASS

Contacts

Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tasha Boerner HorvathD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 19 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Tasha Boerner HorvathD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Joe PattersonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Pilar SchiavoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Greg WallisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Chris RogersD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
David TangipaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member