California Assembly Bill AB1191

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/21/25
• Refer: 3/10/25
• Failed: 2/2/26

Caption

An act to amend Section 44258.5 of the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 399.12, 399.25, and 399.30 of, and to repeal Sections 399.12.5 and 399.20.5 of, the Public Utilities Code, relating to energy.

Summary

AB 1191 would expand California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) definition of eligible renewable energy resources to include all hydroelectric generating facilities, rather than limiting eligibility to certain small hydroelectric facilities that meet existing size, date, and environmental criteria. The bill also makes conforming changes to the Public Utilities Code and repeals two provisions that currently provide special eligibility rules for certain hydroelectric facilities and conduit hydroelectric facilities. In addition, the bill amends a Health and Safety Code provision directing the State Air Resources Board to reduce regulatory disincentives for transportation electrification. Under the bill, the Energy Commission would continue to certify eligible renewable resources and maintain the accounting and renewable energy credit tracking system used to verify RPS compliance by retail sellers and local publicly owned electric utilities. The bill would also preserve the existing RPS procurement framework for local publicly owned electric utilities, including compliance periods, procurement targets, enforcement procedures, and penalties for noncompliance. The main substantive change is the broader inclusion of hydroelectric generation in the pool of resources that can count toward RPS obligations.

Impact

AB 1191 would amend Public Utilities Code Section 399.12 to redefine eligible renewable energy resources for the RPS program so that all hydroelectric generating facilities qualify, subject to conforming changes elsewhere in the statute. It would repeal Sections 399.12.5 and 399.20.5, which currently contain special eligibility and contract rules for certain hydroelectric facilities and conduit hydroelectric facilities. The bill would also update related certification, accounting, and procurement provisions in Sections 399.25 and 399.30, affecting retail sellers, community choice aggregators, electric service providers, and local publicly owned electric utilities that must meet California’s renewable procurement requirements.

Sentiment

The bill appears to be framed as a pro-hydropower energy measure, and the introduced text suggests a policy preference for broadening the renewable classification of hydroelectric generation. However, there is no recorded committee testimony or vote history in the provided materials, so the overall sentiment cannot be measured from debate or floor action. The bill was introduced and then filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56, indicating it did not advance through committee in the available record.

Contention

The likely point of contention is whether large hydroelectric facilities should be treated the same as other renewable resources under the RPS. Supporters would likely view the bill as recognizing hydroelectric power as a renewable, low-carbon resource and expanding compliance options for utilities. Opponents would likely argue that the existing limits on hydro eligibility reflect environmental concerns, especially impacts on instream beneficial uses and streamflow, and that broadening eligibility could weaken incentives for newer wind, solar, and other renewable technologies. The bill also touches on transportation electrification policy, but the hydroelectric eligibility change is the central policy dispute.