Ceres applauds California Legislature for advancing clean energy bills to ease costs, urges further action

SACRAMENTO, CA—Ceres commends California policymakers for their continued focus on clean energy solutions that put downward pressure on electricity prices for businesses and households. 

Policymakers passed several important energy bills at the end of the 2026 legislative session that advance clean energy while offering pragmatic ways to address rising energy costs. That includes bills promoting better grid utilization, faster project interconnection, and greater grid flexibility through better use of rooftop solar, batteries, and other local energy resources already connected to the system. 

“Affordability solutions in California run through clean energy,” said Maggie Field, Senior Manager, State Policy, West, at Ceres. “Policymakers made that clear this year, and businesses showed up to support solutions that encourage smarter grid use and expand clean energy. But there’s still more work to do to bring down electricity prices and modernize our infrastructure, all while meeting unprecedented load growth and strengthening wildfire resilience.” 

Ceres supported several pieces of legislation, including three key bills that passed this year: SB 905, which pushes utilities to make better use of existing grid infrastructure; AB 2493, which aims to streamline lengthy permitting and interconnection timelines that hinder getting more clean projects online; and SB 913, which will make better use of the state’s strong network of electric vehicles, home solar panels, and batteries. Ceres’ staff participated in a press conference in support of SB 913 before the bill’s passage last week.  

"Taken together, these three bills are a solid foundation for modernizing our energy system and providing businesses in California with the reliable, affordable power they need to compete globally. We strongly urge the governor to sign all three bills into law when they arrive at his desk,” said Field. “At the same time, policymakers must build on the progress made this year. We were concerned to see funding to sustain the Demand Side Grid Support program — California’s virtual power plant program — fail to pass this session, despite it being exactly the kind of tool the state needs to make better use of existing resources, strengthen grid reliability, and keep costs down as demand grows.”  

California’s commercial electricity prices are nearly double the national average, making affordability a growing challenge for large energy users and businesses of all sizes. Businesses are advocating for solutions: In an open letter released in July, dozens of businesses called on state policymakers nationwide to advance pragmatic policy solutions to address rising energy costs, highlighting grid optimization, accelerating interconnection, and demand flexibility as key tools to reduce peak demand and make better use of existing infrastructure. Many of the businesses have headquarters or significant operations in California, including CommonSpirit Health, Patagonia, IKEA U.S., Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., and Trane Technologies.  

x

About Ceres 

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and resilient economy. With data-driven research and expert analysis, we inspire investors and companies to act on the world's sustainability challenges and advocate for market and policy solutions. Together, our efforts transform industries, unlock new business opportunities, and foster innovation and job growth – proving that sustainability is the bottom line. For more information, visit ceres.org.