Questions, comments, or tips? Contact editor@californiaenergyjournal.com.

California Energy Journal has a new legislation tracker, which provides a database on active legislation impacting California energy policy.

Subscribe now

From the California Energy Journal

California Coastal Commission Objects to Offshore Fracking Proposal (August 14, 2026) – The California Coastal Commission unanimously objected on August 13, 2026 to DCOR LLC’s proposal for hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, at 16 wells on Platform Gilda in federal waters off Ventura, California. The proposal would have been the first fracking off California’s coast in more than a decade. The vote comes after the commission released two staff reports on the project in July. Read more.

Western Gateway Pipeline to Move Forward, Creating New Fuel Route into California (August 12, 2026) – Phillips 66, Kinder Morgan and HF Sinclair have made a final investment decision to proceed with the $5 billion Western Gateway Pipeline, a 1,300-mile refined-products system designed to transport fuel from the Midwest and Gulf Coast to Arizona and California. The companies announced August 11 that they had finalized a joint venture agreement for the project. Phillips 66 will own 49.9% of the system, Kinder Morgan 35.1% and HF Sinclair 15%. Read more.

California News and Analysis

Oil, refining and fuels

• Jones Act waiver drives surge in Gulf Coast fuel shipments to the West Coast. Waterborne shipments of crude oil and petroleum products from the Gulf Coast to the West Coast more than quadrupled year over year in April and May after the federal government waived domestic shipping restrictions. (U.S. EIA, August 17, 2026).

• CPUC approves CRC pipeline acquisition. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized CRC to acquire the San Pablo Bay Pipeline and Crimson California Pipeline companies from CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust. (E&E News, August 14, 2026). (New York Post, August 11, 2026).

Commentary and analysis

• R.J. Briggs, “California’s Gas Crisis Is a Policy Failure at Every Level,” The Regulatory Review, August 11, 2026.

Offshore oil and coastal policy

• Ninth Circuit leaves Sable pipeline’s federal designation in place. A federal appeals court partially dismissed an environmental groups’ challenge to federal oversight of Sable Offshore’s Las Flores pipeline system, finding that PHMSA’s subsequent jurisdictional determination made the dispute moot. (Bloomberg Law, August 12, 2026).

• Sable plans September restart of third Santa Ynez Unit platform. Sable Offshore expects to restart production from its Hondo platform in September, following the earlier restart of the Heritage and Harmony platforms as it ramps up production at the Santa Ynez Unit. (Offshore Energy⁠, August 12, 2026).

• California officials vow legal fight over federal review of state coastal authority. California officials, Indigenous leaders, environmental advocates and business groups are opposing a Trump administration review of California’s Coastal Management Program that could weaken the state’s ability to challenge offshore oil development and other coastal projects. (KQED, August 11, 2026).

Transportation and efficiency

• CEC adopts nation’s first replacement-tire efficiency standards. The California Energy Commission unanimously approved standards requiring replacement tires sold for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks to meet minimum efficiency requirements beginning in 2029, with stricter requirements taking effect in 2033. (California Energy Commission, August 17, 2026); (KCRA, August 17, 2026).

Electricity rates and affordability

• Wildfire costs and public programs drive California electricity bills higher. Researchers identify wildfire mitigation and liabilities as the largest contributors to recent rate increases, with rooftop-solar incentives and other programs funded through utility rates adding to the burden. (UC Berkeley Letters & Science, August 14, 2026).

• Becerra proposes free electricity during periods of surplus generation. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra has proposed providing Californians with free electricity during designated daytime “power hours” when solar generation is abundant. (Yahoo News, August 17, 2026).

Grid and energy storage

• Grid-upgrade delays stall battery-storage projects. U.S. utilities are struggling to connect a growing backlog of battery projects because of transmission constraints, equipment shortages and rising interconnection costs. In California, PG&E reported that long lead times for specialized equipment have placed at least 1,250 MW of storage projects at risk of delay. (Bloomberg, August 15, 2026).

• Montana power company joins California’s regional day-ahead market. BHE Montana signed an agreement to participate in CAISO’s Extended Day-Ahead Market, becoming the eighth entity to formally commit to the regional electricity market. (E&E News, August 12, 2026).

Federal emissions policy

• House Republican seeks to overturn California commercial harbor craft emissions rule. Rep. James Gallagher introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution seeking to overturn EPA’s January 2025 authorization of California’s Commercial Harbor Craft Amendments. The CARB rules expand emissions requirements to additional commercial vessels and impose new engine and zero-emission requirements on several vessel categories. (Sierra Daily News, August 11, 2026).

Offshore wind

• Senators introduce bill aimed at preserving surrendered California offshore wind leases. Sens. Alex Padilla and Angus King introduced legislation that would require the Interior Department to offer surrendered offshore wind acreage to adjacent leaseholders at the original auction price and reoffer unclaimed acreage under the original terms. (ECO Magazine, August 11, 2026).

• California takes legal action over Trump administration offshore wind cuts. California officials are moving forward with legal action challenging the Trump administration’s actions targeting offshore wind development, escalating the state’s effort to preserve its plans for building a floating offshore wind industry along the California coast. (Politico, August 11, 2026).

Solar

Commentary and analysis

• Edward Ring, “Is Covering California’s Aqueducts and Canals with Solar Panels Economical?,” California Policy Center, August 12, 2026.

Hydrogen

• California’s green-hydrogen ambitions face mounting setbacks. Project cancellations, federal funding cuts, fuel disruptions and limited demand have weakened California’s attempt to build a large clean-hydrogen industry. High production costs and inadequate fueling infrastructure remain major obstacles. (Los Angeles Times, August 17, 2026).

Nuclear

Commentary and analysis

• “Gov. Newsom punts on Diablo Canyon extension. That’s a relief,” San Luis Obispo Tribune, August 11, 2026.

Legislation

• Refinery-safety bill advances. SB 966 would place existing refinery worker-safety protections into state law as regulators prepare to revise the rules following a settlement with the oil industry. The union-backed legislation advanced despite oil industry opposition. (CalMatters, August 15, 2026).

• Other refinery bills advance. AB 605, which addresses minimum refinery staffing plans, advanced to a third reading. SB 1259, which would require refinery shutdown and cleanup planning, also advanced to a third reading.

• Bill allowing alternative gasoline blends on hold. The Assembly Appropriations Committee held SB 1245, which would have directed state agencies to develop a strategy for allowing gasoline that does not meet California’s CARBOB specifications when doing so could improve fuel affordability and reliability. (E&E News, August 14, 2026).

• Price-gouging bill advances. SB 493 would add “war” to the list of emergencies under which it would be price-gouging to sell specified goods and services, including gasoline, for 10% more than previously charged.

• Two bills to increase oil well financial guarantees on hold. AB 2461 would require any company that acquires control of an oil well to notify the supervisor of the operation and to file with the supervisor an indemnity bond in an amount determined by the supervisor to be sufficient to cover, in full, all costs of plugging and abandonment, decommissioning the facility, and site restoration, as provided. AB 2716 would have raised the financial guarantees that large oil producers had to provide to the state for their oil wells, while exempting some smaller firms from providing cleanup funds up front.

• E85 conversion kits bill on hold. AB 2046 would exempt E85 conversion kits certified by the U.S. EPA as a clean alternative fuel conversion system from the California State Air Resources Board (CARB) approval requirement.

• Bill imposing new controls on utility spending advances. SB 905 includes provisions to reduce “excess” returns on lower-risk investments, align executive compensation with cost control, establish performance metrics for utilities, maximize use of existing infrastructure, fund certain public purpose programs and wildfire-related costs through sources other than electricity bills, and evaluate low-cost financing options. (see also Canary Media, August 11, 2026).

• Data-center bills advance. SB 886, which is intended to prevent data-center development from shifting electricity costs to other customers, and SB 887, which would encourage developers to invest in clean energy and surrounding communities. (Yahoo News, August 18, 2026).

• Community solar bills advance. SB 868 would exempt a portable solar generation devices up to 1,200 W from interconnection requirements and allow them to be plugged into household outlets. AB 1813 reforms community solar policy, including by requiring bill credits to subscribers based on the avoided costs of a community renewable energy generators. (PV Magazine, August 17, 2026).

Additional News and Analysis

AI and data centers

• U.S. electricity demand projected to set records through 2027 as AI use surges. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects electricity consumption will increase from a record 4,195 billion kWh in 2025 to 4,268 billion kWh in 2026 and 4,391 billion kWh in 2027, driven in large part by AI-focused data centers and broader electrification. (Reuters, August 11, 2026).

• AI will increase oil and gas production and global emissions. AI-driven productivity gains in the oil and gas industry will substantially increase global emissions, according to a report in the journal Nature led by two former Microsoft employees, outweighing any potential gains from clean energy. (FT, August 10, 2026).

Questions, comments, or tips? Contact editor@californiaenergyjournal.com.

California Energy Journal has a new web address. Please update your bookmark to: www.californiaenergyjournal.com.

From the California Energy Journal

RWE Agrees to Give Up Humboldt Offshore Wind Lease in $1.22 Billion Federal Deal (August 10, 2026) – RWE agreed to relinquish its offshore wind lease off Humboldt County as part of a $1.22 billion agreement with the Trump administration, removing a third major offshore wind development project from California’s original five federal lease areas. The deal marks the first lease relinquishment in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area and expands the federal retreat from California offshore wind development beyond the Morro Bay area. Read more.

California News and Analysis

Offshore oil

Commentary and analysis

• Rosanna Xia, “Trump is attacking California’s ability to protect its coastline. The consequences may be dire,” Los Angeles Times, August 7, 2026.

Oil refining and fuels

• California weighs response to rising oil company profits. California officials are scrutinizing rising oil industry profits amid concerns about gasoline prices and the state’s shrinking refining sector. (Los Angeles Times, August 5, 2026).

Offshore wind

• Trump administration escalates opposition to offshore wind. The Trump administration is continuing efforts to restrict offshore wind development while promoting fossil fuel production, creating additional uncertainty for projects and developers. The policy shift has implications for California’s plans to develop floating offshore wind along the Central and North coasts. (AP, August 6, 2026).

• RWE reaches $1.22 billion agreement to cancel U.S. offshore wind leases. RWE reached a $1.22 billion agreement with the Trump administration to relinquish U.S. offshore wind leases, including in California, and redirect investment toward natural gas projects. (Reuters, August 6, 2026).

Renewable energy

Commentary and analysis

• Gabriella Hoffman, “California’s climate policies created an energy crisis. Abundance is the answer.,” Orange County Register, August 7, 2026.

• Susan Shelley, “California’s green energy fantasy is leaving residents in the dark,” Orange County Register, August 8, 2026.

• Larry Wilson, “California sets a world record with solar power,” Pasadena Star News, August 8, 2026.

Energy storage

• California battery capacity tops 21 GW. The California Energy Commission announced that battery resources serving California now total 21,112 MW, up from less than 700 MW in 2019. Nearly 16,000 MW comes from in-state utility-scale systems, roughly 2,000 MW from out-of-state resources serving the CAISO grid, and about 3,000 MW from smaller systems at homes and businesses. (CEC, August 7, 2026).

Nuclear energy

• Newsom says he won’t seek another Diablo Canyon extension. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he does not plan to pursue extending Diablo Canyon’s operations beyond 2030, leaving the issue to his successor and the Legislature. The position sets up a potential future debate over nuclear power’s role in California’s electricity reliability and clean-energy strategy. (E&E News, August 10, 2026).

• Local officials push California to keep Diablo Canyon operating. A coalition of local officials is urging Sacramento to allow Diablo Canyon to continue operating beyond its current 2030 state authorization. (Politico Pro, August 4, 2026)

Grid reliability and electricity costs

• California’s rising renewable curtailments highlight grid challenge. California curtailed 4.5 million MWh of solar and wind generation during the first half of 2026, already exceeding the amount curtailed during all of 2025. The rapid increase illustrates the growing mismatch between California’s renewable generation and its transmission, storage and electricity-demand infrastructure. (Reuters, August 4, 2026).

Wildfires and utility liability

• California confronts who should pay for utility-caused wildfires. California policymakers are again confronting how to allocate potentially enormous wildfire liabilities when utility equipment causes catastrophic fires. The debate pits wildfire victims’ compensation against concerns that escalating liabilities could threaten utility finances and increase electricity rates. (California Political Review, August 8, 2026).

• Newsom administration proposes reducing utility wildfire liability costs. The Newsom administration is proposing changes intended to reduce the financial exposure utilities face from catastrophic wildfires as California considers the future of its wildfire liability framework. The proposal could have significant implications for utilities, ratepayers, wildfire victims and the state’s wildfire fund. (Politico Pro, August 4, 2026)

• Investigators link Edison equipment to Eaton Fire. Investigators concluded that Southern California Edison equipment was associated with the ignition of the deadly Eaton Fire, potentially increasing the utility’s exposure to billions of dollars in wildfire claims. The finding intensifies the debate in Sacramento over utility wildfire liability and how those costs should be allocated. (AP, August 4, 2026).

Carbon capture and climate policy

• California carbon storage project advances. California Resources Corp.’s Carbon TerraVault project represents a significant step for California’s emerging carbon capture and storage industry. The project could help determine whether carbon storage becomes a major component of the state’s strategy for reducing emissions from difficult-to-decarbonize industries. (CalMatters, August 10, 2026).

Carbon emissions

• Republicans seek to overturn California ship emissions rules. Congressional Republicans are pushing legislation targeting California regulations aimed at reducing emissions from ships operating near the state’s ports. (E&E News, August 7, 2026).

• Republican senators move to repeal additional California emissions waivers. Four Republican senators introduced resolutions seeking to overturn California emissions rules covering vehicles and lawn, garden and power-washing equipment under the Congressional Review Act. (Reuters, August 6, 2026).

Additional News and Analysis

Oil refining and fuels

• U.S. refiners benefit from global fuel supply crunch. U.S. refineries are running near full capacity as geopolitical disruptions reduce global refining capacity and push fuel prices higher, boosting profit margins for refiners. (WSJ, August 6, 2026).

Solar

• U.S. considers polysilicon price floor and tariffs targeting China. The Trump administration is considering trade measures including tariffs and a minimum price for imported polysilicon as it seeks to counter China’s dominance of the solar supply chain and bolster U.S. production. The measures could raise input costs for solar manufacturers and developers while benefiting domestic producers. (Reuters, August 4, 2026).

Commentary and analysis

• “Solar power is about to get more expensive. Thank Trump.,” Washington Post, August 8, 2026.

Climate policy

• Appeals court says EPA cannot block billions in climate grants. A federal appeals court ruled that EPA cannot withhold billions of dollars in previously awarded climate grants, handing grant recipients a victory in their dispute with the Trump administration. The decision limits the administration’s ability to unwind climate spending approved under the previous administration. (Reuters, August 4, 2026).

Offshore wind

• Judge orders Pentagon to resume wind project reviews. A federal judge ordered the Pentagon to lift its freeze on reviews of proposed wind projects, ruling that the Defense Department violated congressionally mandated deadlines. (Reuters, August 6, 2026; Courthouse News, August 4, 2026).

Questions, comments, or tips? Contact editor@californiaenergyjournal.com.

California Energy Journal has a new web address. Please update your bookmark to: www.californiaenergyjournal.com.

Subscribe now

From the California Energy Journal

Coastal Commission Staff Reports Object to Offshore Fracking Proposal (August 3, 2026) – The California Coastal Commission staff recommended that the Commission object to a proposal to conduct hydraulic fracturing on 16 existing oil wells at Platform Gilda, located approximately nine miles offshore on a federal Outer Continental Shelf in the Santa Barbara Channel. The regulators, in two staff reports issued on July 29, 2026, say the DCOR LLC project could increase the risk of spills. Read more.

California News and Analysis

Offshore oil

• California Democrats oppose federal pipeline easement proposal. California Democratic lawmakers are intensifying opposition to congressional legislation that would authorize the federal government to acquire easements over state land for Sable Offshore’s Santa Ynez Pipeline System. (E&E News, July 31, 2026).

• Senators investigate Sable relationship with Trump. Senator Adam Schiff of California sent a letter to Sable Offshore Corp. CEO Jim Flores, inquiring about the company’s relationship with the Trump administration and urging it to “cease all operations in the SYU and consider the long-term legal and financial ramifications of collaborating with the Trump administration to circumvent state law.” (Office of Senator Adam Schiff, July 28, 2026).

Oil refining and fuels

Commentary and analysis

• Wisfe Aish, “What Could California’s Fuel Transition Mean For Gas Stations?,” Forbes Business Council, July 29, 2026.

• Stephen Hobbs, “Would the oil refinery penalty have generated $600M for California if implemented?,” Sacramento Bee, July 28, 2026.

EVs

• California launches instant EV rebates. California will begin offering instant point-of-sale rebates for eligible new and used electric vehicles, allowing buyers to receive the incentive immediately rather than waiting for reimbursement. State officials hope the program will expand EV adoption for lower- and middle-income households. (Los Angeles Times, July 29, 2026).

Carbon emissions regulation

• Environmental group sues CARB over cap-and-invest overhaul. Communities for a Better Environment filed suit challenging the California Air Resources Board’s revised cap-and-invest program, arguing the agency unlawfully increased free emissions allowances for oil refiners. (Yahoo News, July 30, 2026)

Commentary and analysis

• David Pettit, “Federal attacks on greenhouse gas emissions regulations: What’s at stake for California?,” Daily Journal, July 31, 2026.

Electricity, utilities and affordability

• PG&E proposal draws criticism over shareholder incentive payments. Critics are challenging a PG&E proposal that would allow customers to fund approximately $26.6 million in shareholder performance rewards through utility rates. The issue raises broader questions about utility regulation, executive incentives, and customer affordability. (California Political Review, July 30, 2026).

Nuclear energy

• Port of Long Beach explores maritime nuclear power. The Port of Long Beach is evaluating advanced nuclear technology as part of efforts to meet rising electricity demand while reducing emissions from port operations. The Port of Long Beach became the first U.S. port to partner with the Maritime Administration on evaluating advanced nuclear reactors for maritime and port applications. The collaboration will study how next-generation reactors could support port electrification, grid reliability, and maritime decarbonization. (American Nuclear Society, July 28, 2026; WSJ, July 23, 2026)

Solar

Commentary and analysis

• Ardi Arian, “Community solar can bridge California’s energy affordability gap,” Utility Dive, July 28, 2026.

• Dan McCarthy, “California was mostly solar-powered in May — a global first,” Canary Media, July 31, 2026.

International clean energy cooperation

• California and Rajasthan establish clean energy partnership. California energy agencies and India’s Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission formalized a memorandum of intent to collaborate on clean energy deployment, transmission planning, and regulatory best practices. The agreement expands California’s international partnerships on clean energy policy. (SolarBytes; The Wire, July 28, 2026)

Climate policy

Commentary and analysis

• Jon Fleischman, “California’s sweeping climate change policies cost a fortune –– for no benefit,” New York Post, July 30, 2026.

• Alex Nieves, “Trump hands Xavier Becerra a climate dilemma,” Politico, July 31, 2026.

• Edward Ring, “A Fact-Based Appraisal of California’s Energy Strategy,” California Policy Center, July 29, 2026.

Additional News and Analysis

Oil refining and fuels

• White House backs private investment in shuttered fuel facilities. The White House is encouraging private investment to restart or repurpose idled fuel production facilities as part of efforts to strengthen domestic fuel supplies and energy security. (Politico, July 30, 2026)

• Closure of St. Croix refinery continues to affect fuel markets. The long-term impacts of the St. Croix refinery shutdown continue to influence gasoline supplies and fuel prices in certain U.S. markets. (The Hill, July 30, 2026).

• Attorneys general oppose pipeline permit streamlining. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 13 other attorneys general filed a motion to oppose the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s proposed rule to expand its “blanket certificate” program, which streamlines small pipeline permitting.

Data centers

• Oregon city temporarily halts new data center development. The Hillsboro City Council approved a temporary moratorium on new data centers while officials evaluate their impacts on electricity demand, water use, and land-use planning. (NewsData, July 28, 2026).

EVs

• Oil supply crisis accelerates shift toward electric vehicles. Disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis are accelerating interest in electric vehicles as higher and more volatile oil prices strengthen the economics of electrification, according to IEA data. The trend illustrates how energy-security concerns can reinforce policies aimed at reducing petroleum dependence. (Climate Change News, July 30, 2026).