California governor signs laws boosting virtual power plants

· Climate · United States

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of energy-affordability legislation aimed at curbing the utility spending that drives up electricity costs. Two of the bills specifically expand the use of virtual power plants.

Why it matters：California is treating distributed demand-side resources as a cost-control tool, a template other regulators may follow as data-center load and utility bills rise.

Key points

  • Newsom signed the bills on Wednesday, defying political expectations.
  • The legislation targets utility spending that raises electricity costs.
  • Two bills will boost virtual power plant deployment.

Sources (original reporting)

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