Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday vetoed legislation that would have allowed schools and apartment buildings to use solar energy they generate on site, instead of having to buy it back from utilities. SB 1374written by Senator Josh Becker, would have restored the rights that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) took away in 2023 from properties with multiple electric meters. Before then, California utilities, including schools, could use the solar energy they generated on a single electric meter, such as one for their parking lot, to power their buildings with separate meters, making full use of their own energy and higher avoid energy bills.
California has significant potential to generate more clean electricity with rooftop solar panels; we have only utilized about 10% of the solar potential on our state’s rooftops. SB 1374 would have encouraged solar installations on more rooftops and parking lots, accelerating California’s transition to clean energy and allowing schools and renters to enjoy the many benefits of solar panels, including reduced pollution, lower electric bills and a more resilient energy system.
In response, Environment California clean energy advocate Steven King released the following statement:
“This summer’s wildfires and extreme heatwaves demonstrate the urgent need to reduce our use of climate change-causing fossil fuels in favor of clean, renewable energy like solar. Schools and apartment buildings should have the same opportunities to install and benefit from solar panels as single-family homes. We are disappointed with Governor Newsom’s decision to put the brakes on this popular, proven clean energy source, especially as cuts to solar incentive programs over the past two years have made the future of rooftop solar in California so uncertain .’
News item from Environment California
