SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 1813, the Community Renewable Energy Program Act of 2026, authored by Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), which would have created a robust community renewables program to lower electric bills for low-income households and renters, provide benefits to all ratepayers, and ease cost burdens for meeting the significant demand for new homes.
“I’m deeply disappointed by the Governor’s decision to veto AB 1813,” said Assemblymember Chris Ward. “At a time when energy costs are rising across the board, and severe weather events caused by climate change are becoming more frequent, Community Solar poses itself as a commonsense solution that dozens of other states have already made major investments in. California cannot keep making the same mistakes, or we will continue to fall behind the rest of the country and fall woefully short of our climate and energy goals.”
"With Governor Newsom's veto of AB 1813, California continues to fall further behind other states who are aggressively moving forward with successful community solar programs,” said Derek Chernow Executive Director at Californians for Local Affordable Solar & Storage. “Unfortunately, the voices of community leaders, environmental justice organizations, ratepayer advocates, labor, community choice aggregators, the building industry and so many others were denied a solution they have long fought for. Study after study demonstrates the benefits of community solar + storage to households, businesses, our environment, and the grid. We are committed to working with the next Administration to make community solar and storage part of the solution to California's growing affordability crisis."