California Laws on Transmission Approvals and Reporting

In September, 2022, California enrolled two laws related to accelerating transmission approvals and reporting requirements.SB 529: California’s SB 529 requires the Public Utilities Commission to update its policies such that electrical corporations may more easily seek approval to build or expand transmission facilities, either through an exemption to existing requirements or what is called a permit-to-construct process. The law specifically provides that expanding transmission will not require a certificate of public convenience and necessity.SB 1174: SB 1174 puts in place more expansive transmission reporting and planning requirements. Building upon reporting requirements in California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, SB 1174 requires each electrical corporation that owns electrical transmission facilities to annually submit to the PUC a report on any changes to transmission and interconnection facilities necessary to provide transmission deliverability to eligible renewable energy resources or energy storage resources. The law puts similar requirements in place for the PUC to report on transmission developments to the legislature, as well as to consider transmission developments within Integrated Resource Planning processes.