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SB-952 • 2026

State Water Project: renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources.

State Water Project: renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources.

Energy
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Laird
Last action
2026-04-17
Official status
Set for hearing April 27.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the extent of excess procurement allowed or the exact nature of changes to public land administration laws.

Renewable Energy and Zero-Carbon Resources for State Water Project

This law requires the Department of Water Resources to consider portfolio diversity when buying renewable energy and zero-carbon resources, allowing excess procurement from one year to be used in future years starting January 1, 2036.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Water Resources to consider portfolio diversity, resource type, location, and peak operation hours during procurement processes for renewable energy and zero-carbon resources.
  • Allows excess procurement from one year to be applied to any subsequent year’s obligation starting January 1, 2036.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Water Resources
  • California end-use customers who buy electricity

Terms To Know

Renewable energy resources
Energy from sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
Zero-carbon resources
Energy that does not produce carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases during production.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much extra procurement can be applied to future years.
  • It is unclear what specific changes will be made to public land administration laws.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-17 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 27.

  2. 2026-04-14 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  3. 2026-04-02 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 13.

  4. 2026-03-25 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on E., U & C.

  5. 2026-03-17 California Legislative Information

    From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.

  6. 2026-02-11 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on RLS.

  7. 2026-02-03 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 5.

  8. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 952, as amended, Laird.
Public lands: administration: impounded funds.
State Water Project: renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources.
Under existing law, it is the policy of the state that eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources supply 90% of all retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers by December 31, 2035, 95% of all retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers by December 31, 2040, 100% of all retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers by December 31, 2045, and 100% of electricity procured to serve all state agencies by December 31, 2035, as specified. Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to procure eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources to satisfy those obligations imposed on the State Water Resources Development System, commonly known as the State Water Project, pursuant to that policy. Existing law requires the
department, in conducting procurement, to consider specified factors and requires that all resources procured be used first to meet the department’s own electricity needs.
This bill would require the department, in conducting procurement, to consider portfolio diversity, resource type, location, and hours of typical peak operation. The bill would authorize, on and after January 1, 2036, excess procurement, as defined, of eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources in one year to be applied to any subsequent year’s obligation, as provided.
Existing law provides for the administration and control of state lands, including the leasing and sale of public lands, as provided. Existing law authorizes certain impounded funds to be invested and reinvested by the Director of Finance in bonds or other obligations of the United States, as provided.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that provision to, among other things, use gender-neutral language.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF