SB 1374 Vetoed by Governor Newsom
SB 1374 Vetoed by Governor Newsom
Fact Sheet | FAQ | Text & Info | Veto Message
What this bill does: SB 1374 would have allowed schools and multi-family properties to generate electricity on one meter to offset usage on another meter, thereby giving them credit for consuming solar power that they generate on their property—equivalent to what is provided for single family homes. It also would have directed the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to define self-consumption for other multi-meter properties like farms, churches, water agencies, etc. See below for a visual explanation of what this bill would have done.
Why it matters: This legislation matters because customers who are generating solar power on their property with their equipment should be allowed to use it.
Additional context: The CPUC made a November 2023 decision that ended the ability for schools and other multi-meter customers to aggregate the solar power generated on one meter for use on another meter on the same property. This decision drastically reduced the cost-effectiveness of installing solar, which new schools are required to do under code requirements, and removes the financial incentives to add solar to existing buildings. Members of the Climate Ready Schools Coalition advocated to oppose the initial CPUC decision in November of 2023.
How SB 1374 works
Media Mentions
November 1st mention in Environment California’s Blog Post, Thank You CA Senators for Climate Action!
October 14th mention in EnergyCentral blog post, California Wraps Up 2024 Legislative Session
October 3rd article in IndependentNews, Newsom Vetoes Rooftop Solar Bill
October 2nd mention in The Sacramento Bee article, California saw muted progress on climate and environment laws this year. Here’s what did pass
October 1st mention in LA Times’ Boiling Point Column, Newsom wants Californians to help on climate. He should help too
September 30th article in Canary Media, California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes school solar bill
September 30th article in Solar Power World, California governor vetoes bill that would have reversed CPUC’s multi-meter solar rules
September 30th article in PV Tech, California governor vetoes school and apartment buildings self-consumption bill
September 28th blog post from Environment California, Statement: Governor vetoes legislation to help schools, renters benefit from solar energy
September 26th Op-Ed in Capitol Weekly, Despite achieving milestones, we need more renewable energy, fast
September 17th mention in LA Times’ Boiling Point column, Gov. Newsom’s got good climate bills on his desk. Will he sign them?
September 13th article in the Community Voice, California students push for solar schools
September 10th shout-out in the Canary Media article, California could cut utility bills with distributed energy. Why isn’t it?
September 7th News Brief in the Lake County Record Bee, California students push for solar schools
September 5th article in The Independent, Rooftop Solar Bill Would Halt 2023 CPUC Restrictions
August 19th article in Solar Power World, California assembly passes bill to allow schools, apartments to use the solar energy they generate
August 13th op-ed in The Mercury News, California’s solar transition has left most renters behind
July 25th article in TerraVerde Energy, Keeping the Lights On: Navigating the Clean Energy Transition with Nancy Chaires Espinoza
July 1st press release from Senator Becker’s office, Assembly Committee Approves Key Becker Legislation To Treat Schools, And Apartments Fairly When It Comes To Solar
June 17th article in Microgrid Knowledge, California Microgrid, DER Communities Seeking Legislative Reversal of CPUC Net Metering Decision
June 11th article in pv magazine USA, California bill may amend ruling that gutted value of solar for multi-meter properties
June 7th article in SolarQuarter, California Legislature Moves to Protect Rooftop Solar for Renters, Farms, and Schools Amidst Statewide Cuts to Solar Incentives
May 30th article in Environment California, Why California should help schools go solar
May 30th article in The Independent, Senate Passes Bill To Partially Restore Solar Incentives
May 22 note in The Almanac, Senate approves legislation to allow consumers to use self-generated solar energy
May 21 article from Canary Media, California bill would undo rules making it hard for schools to go solar.
May 9 shout-out in LA Times article about the CPUC’s roadblocks to community solar
May 7 Op-Ed in CalMatters from Oakland and Clovis USDs’ Board Presidents about SB 1374
November 2023 Canary Media article about this issue, California makes it harder for schools, farms and rental housing to go solar
Letters, Links, & Engagement Record
October 1st California Association of School Board Officials (CASBO) Response to Veto
September 28th Veto Response Quote Sheet
September 27th Veto Message from Governor Newsom
September 12th East Bay Housing Organizations Letter to the Governor
September 10th Los Angeles County Democratic Party Letter to the Governor
September 3rd Coalition Letter to the Governor
September 3rd Multifamily Housing Letter to the Governor
August 23rd Assembly Floor Alert - environmental groups
August 23rd Assembly Floor Alert
August 12th Assembly Suspense Hearing Letter from School Board Members
August 9th Assembly Suspense Hearing Coalition Support Letter
July 23rd Assembly Appropriations Committee Coalition Support Letter
June 27th Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee Coalition Support Letter
May 20th Senate Floor Alert
April 30th Senate Appropriations Coalition Support Letter
For April 22 Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications (SEUC) Committee Hearing
April 16th Coalition Support Letter
March 27th Rebuttal to IOU Opposition
March 27th Opposition Letter from the Coalition of California Utility Employees and the California State Association of Electrical Workers
March 27th Opposition Letter from The Utility Reform Network (TURN)
March 26th Coalition Support Letter
March 25th SEUC Investor Owned Utilities Opposition Letter
January 2024 Issue Brief about how this problem affects schools
November 2023 Letter to the CPUC opposing the end of NEMA