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AB-2476 • 2026

Electricity: integrated resource plans: Department of Water Resources: procurement.

Electricity: integrated resource plans: Department of Water Resources: procurement.

Energy
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Ellis
Last action
2026-04-23
Official status
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 22).
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the Public Utilities Commission's role in deciding procurement needs or specifying eligible energy resources, beyond authorizing the Department of Water Resources to procure certain types of energy resources.

Electricity Resource Plans: Department of Water Resources Procurement

This law allows the Department of Water Resources to buy energy resources, including certain pump hydroelectric facilities that are exempt from federal licensing requirements.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Public Utilities Commission to create a plan for electricity providers to file and update their resource plans.
  • Gives the Department of Water Resources permission to buy certain types of energy resources before January 1, 2035.
  • Expands the department's ability to purchase from pump hydroelectric facilities that are exempt from federal licensing.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Electricity providers who must file and update resource plans.
  • The Department of Water Resources which can buy energy resources.
  • Pump hydroelectric facility owners who meet the new criteria.

Terms To Know

load-serving entity
A company that provides electricity to customers.
integrated resource plan
A detailed plan for meeting future energy needs using various resources.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill only applies before January 1, 2035.
  • It does not specify how much funding is available for procurement.
  • The exact impact on the environment or electricity prices is unclear.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 22).

  2. 2026-03-09 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on U. & E.

  3. 2026-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

  4. 2026-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2476, as introduced, Ellis.
Electricity: integrated resource plans: Department of Water Resources: procurement.
Existing law requires the Public Utilities Commission to adopt a process for each load-serving entity, as defined, to file an integrated resource plan, adopt a schedule for periodic updates to the plan, and ensure each load-serving entity take specified actions, as specified. Existing law requires the commission to determine if there is a need for the procurement of eligible energy resources, as described, and requires the commission to specify the eligible energy resources that should be procured to meet that need, and authorizes the commission, within 6 months of making that determination, to request the Department of Water Resources to procure those specified resources that meet the portfolio of resources, as specified. Existing law authorizes the department to procure those resources pursuant to that request only before January 1, 2035, as provided. Existing law authorizes the
department to procure resources from a pump hydroelectric facility pursuant to these provisions if the pump hydroelectric facility does not exceed 500 megawatts and was directly appropriated funding by the state before January 1, 2023.
This bill would additionally authorize the department to procure resources from a pump hydroelectric facility pursuant to the above-described provisions if the pump hydroelectric facility is exempt from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF