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AB-305 • 2026

Energy: nuclear facilities.

Energy: nuclear facilities.

Energy Technology
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Arambula
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on the phase-out of natural gas or how much more electricity must be procured from nuclear sources.

Energy: Nuclear Facilities

This law changes rules about building small modular reactors and requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to make a plan by January 1, 2028, to increase electricity procurement from nuclear facilities while phasing out natural gas.

What This Bill Does

  • Exempts small modular reactors from existing restrictions on nuclear fission thermal powerplants.
  • Requires the PUC to adopt a plan by January 1, 2028, to increase electricity procurement from nuclear facilities and phase out procurement of electricity from natural gas.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will have to make a plan for buying more electricity from nuclear plants.
  • Electric companies in California may need to buy more electricity from nuclear plants and less from natural gas plants.
  • People who want to build small modular reactors can do so without the same rules as larger reactors.

Terms To Know

Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
A government agency that regulates electric companies and makes sure they follow rules.
Small modular reactor
A smaller nuclear power plant that can be built in pieces, making it easier to manage and safer than larger plants.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the exact amount of electricity from nuclear sources that must be procured.
  • It is unclear what specific conditions need to be met for large reactors to be allowed.
  • The bill does not explain how the phase-out of natural gas will happen.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-04-21 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  4. 2025-03-17 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and U. & E.

  5. 2025-01-24 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee February 23.

  6. 2025-01-23 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 305, as introduced, Arambula.
Energy: nuclear facilities.
Existing law prohibits the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) from certifying a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for specified powerplants, and provides that a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except those specified powerplants, is not a permitted land use in California unless certain conditions are met regarding the existence of technology for the construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod processing plants and of demonstrated technology or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste, as specified.
This bill would exempt small modular reactors, as defined, from those provisions.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) with regulatory authority over electrical corporations and gas corporations. Under existing law, it
is the policy of the state that eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources supply 100% of all retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers and 100% of electricity procured to serve all state agencies by December 31, 2045. Existing law requires the PUC, the Energy Commission, and all other state agencies to incorporate that policy into all relevant planning.
This bill would require the PUC, on or before January 1, 2028, to adopt a plan to increase the procurement of electricity generated from nuclear facilities and to phase out the procurement of electricity generated from natural gas facilities.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF