State Senate Vote Signals California Remains Committed to Consolidating a West-Wide Electricity Market

SACRAMENTO — “Today’s Senate vote is an important step in a long process to ensure California is at the forefront of a fast-moving revolution in how electricity will be bought and sold across the West. California cannot keep the lights on or solve the climate crisis alone — we need an electricity system with diverse clean resources that can withstand simultaneous extreme weather events.

“An unprecedented coalition of California advocates for the environment, labor unions, utilities, power producers, consumers, and technology supports the creation of a West-wide electricity market. We share significant concerns about recent bill amendments that undermine the benefits of California’s participation in a Western market and urge California leaders to act decisively to avoid losing more trading partners to a competing Arkansas market. Having dedicated years to the development of a Western-led energy market, EDF is committed to delivering the long-term affordability, reliability, and pollution reduction benefits awaiting the region by getting the policy right in Sacramento. For this reason, we are grateful for today's vote because it creates the opportunity to improve and refine this legislation with state leaders this summer.” 

— Katelyn Roedner Sutter, California State Director, Environmental Defense Fund