Newsom Vetoes AB 44, Blocking Utility Demand Tech Regulation
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed Assembly Bill 44 (AB 44), a piece of legislation that aimed to regulate how utilities assess demand-reducing technologies. The bill passed the Legislature with bipartisan support and encountered no registered opposition.
AB 44, introduced by Assemblymember Nick Schultz, sought to grant a California agency the authority to make immigration stops. However, Gavin Newsom's veto focused on the bill's energy-related provisions.
The Governor expressed concerns that AB 44 would clash with existing rules of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and cause uncertainty in energy planning. He believed the bill's requirements could negatively impact utilities' demand response programs, which incentivize customers to reduce energy use during peak hours.
AB 44's immigration-related authorization remains unaffected by Gavin Newsom's veto. The Governor's decision, however, has blocked the bill's attempt to influence how utilities value demand-reducing technologies. The veto maintains the status quo for energy planning in California.
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