California lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill that establishes a new certification process for solar, wind and other non-fossil fuel power plants that are larger than 50 MW, as the state works to build out the renewable projects it needs to ensure grid reliability.
The bill also creates a strategic electricity reliability reserve fund, authorizing funding for resources that can help keep the lights on. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, allocated $5.2 billion in his May revised budget proposal to create such a reserve, an up to 5,000 MW pool of resources.