Dive Brief:

• California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a bill that aims to speed the siting of energy storage projects.

• The bill, AB 546, requires that any city or country with a threshold population of 200,000 make available on a website documentation and forms associated with permitting energy storage and provide for online submission of permit applications.

• The bill also authorizes the governor’s office to provide guidance on energy storage permitting and best practices and potential factors for local governments to consider when establishing fees for permitting and inspection of energy storage projects.

Dive Insight:

One of the reasons California is a leader in energy storage are the multiple laws aimed at encouraging and supporting the technology, including AB 2514, enacted in 2010, that directs utilities in the state to energy storage resources.

The most recent energy storage related legislation, AB 546, is aimed at helping communities navigate the often confusing process of obtaining permits for energy storage projects. Though there are multiple state mechanisms for encouraging energy storage, the process can be very confusing.

AB 546 aims to speed that process by directing communities of 200,000 and more to provide web based resources and to provide a basis for making the permitting process and related fees more consistent from community to community.

The bill says that the implementation of energy storage is “not a municipal affair, but is a matter of statewide concern.”

The bill comes as municipal utilities invest in energy storage to meet ambitious renewable energy goals.