California Senate Bill SB654

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/25
• Refer: 3/5/25
• Report Pass: 4/3/25
• Refer: 4/3/25
• Failed: 2/2/26

Caption

California Environmental Protection Agency: contract: registry: greenhouse gas emissions that result from the water-energy nexus.

Impact

This legislation reinforces the voluntary nature of participation in the registry, allowing any business entity within California to register their emissions. It also allows entities to include emissions generated outside the state, which broadens the scope of accountability for companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. The proposed amendment recognizes the need to refine existing frameworks to better reflect current environmental strategies and encourages participation across all sectors, enhancing collective efforts towards emissions reduction.

Summary

Senate Bill 654, introduced by Senator Stern on February 20, 2025, seeks to amend Section 71422 of the Public Resources Code regarding environmental protection in the state of California. The bill emphasizes the administration of a registry dedicated to documenting greenhouse gas emissions associated with the water-energy nexus, which is pivotal to understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts of water usage and energy production. While the existing law mandates the development of this registry, SB654 clarifies the California Environmental Protection Agency's role in overseeing this initiative, ensuring that the agency administers the registry efficiently with updated protocols.

Contention

A notable feature of SB654 is its funding structure; the bill authorizes the agency to contract with a qualified nonprofit organization for a maximum period of three years with a budget cap of $2 million. This contract aims to foster participation from a diverse range of stakeholders, preparing them to engage with the registry's processes. The emphasis on recruiting entities from different economic sectors ensures a comprehensive response to greenhouse gas emissions, facilitating the establishment of emissions baselines and promoting voluntary actions that improve both water and energy use efficiency throughout California.