Affordable and Accessible Energy for California

Families, individuals and businesses deserve energy that is both reliable and affordable. As energy costs continue to impact household budgets, the state legislature must pursue policies that put consumers first while ensuring a strong and resilient energy system.

I am committed to advancing practical energy-efficiency solutions that help lower utility bills, reduce waste and maximize the value consumers receive from every energy dollar they spend. Investments in modern infrastructure, innovative technologies and efficiency programs can also deliver meaningful savings without sacrificing reliability.

At the same time, affordability must remain at the center of every energy decision. Consumers should not bear unnecessary costs and state policymakers must carefully evaluate regulations and investments to ensure they provide real benefits. By encouraging efficiency, promoting responsible innovation and maintaining a balanced approach to energy policy we can protect consumers while supporting economic growth.

This year, I am honored to be running three separate pieces of legislation as part of my office’s energy affordability package. All three bills passed out of the California State Assembly, largely on a bipartisan basis, and are currently navigating the committee process in the State Senate. Our package this year includes: 

• AB 1787 – Dynamic Pricing for Electricity Tariffs. AB1787 requires investor-owned utilities to offer dynamic, wholesale-based pricing and real-time data access during their next smart meter upgrade cycle to help electricity customers reduce costs.
• AB 2266 – Power Procurement Process Streamlining. Determinations of how much energy is necessary to meet California’s power needs are currently performed via a patchwork of separately enacted clean energy programs. AB2266 directs the California Public Utilities Commission to streamline these planning decisions into one cohesive workflow, to use consistent methodologies across all programs and to improve accountability through a yearly evaluation of the real-world impact of their calculations on actual energy purchases.
• AB 2612 – Building Standards: Plug-in Photovoltaic Systems. AB2612 requires the California Building Standards Commission and the Dept. of Housing and Community Development to develop and adopt mandatory building standards that enable qualified photovoltaic systems to safely function as an energy source within residential and nonresidential electrical circuits. Plug-in photovoltaic systems are attracting interest as a new, low-cost, modular way for households to access affordable clean energy through their existing electrical systems and a single standard 120-volt outlet. Beginning with the first triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code adopted after June 1, 2031, the bill directs state agencies to codify electrical circuit features and safety requirements to support plug-and-play solar technologies.

The path forward is clear: smarter energy use, greater efficiency and a steadfast commitment to affordability. By keeping consumers at the forefront we can build an energy future that is both sustainable and accessible for everyone.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact our district office if you have questions or if we can be of assistance. Our phone number is (818) 558-3043, and email address is Assemblymember.Schultz@Assembly.ca.gov.