Newsom Signs Climate, Energy Bills Charting State Course Through Perilous ‘Mid-Transition’

September 19, 2025

KQED

Meredith Fowlie, Energy Institute Faculty Director, provides her perspective in KQED on the effectiveness of a new Senate bill in lowering electricity rates for consumers.

“‘A lot of this policy is being made in real time in response to challenges that are manifesting in real time,’ she said. Senate Bill 254 will allow the state to issue bonds to finance the construction of transmission lines at a cheaper price than utilities. The legislation also gives regulators more tools to rein in the money power companies spend to prevent wildfires, a key driver of higher electricity rates.”

Photo: kqed.org