This weekly newsletter highlights the latest from the California Energy Journal along with links to articles and analysis on key developments in California energy policy.
Questions, comments, or tips? Contact editor@californiaenergyjournal.com.
Top Stories from the California Energy Journal
Becerra’s Election Puts Affordability at the Center of California Energy Policy (November 5, 2026) – Xavier Becerra’s election as California governor places a new emphasis on how the state’s clean energy policies affect energy affordability, including electricity costs and reliability as well as gasoline prices. Read more.
California News and Analysis
Elections and energy policy
California voters reject Proposition 45 environmental review overhaul. Voters rejected a measure that would have changed the California Environmental Quality Act to ease development of housing, highways, and clean energy projects. With approximately 77% of ballots counted, opposition stood at 55.9%, according to results reported November 9. Washington Examiner, November 9, 2026.
Becerra’s proposed free electricity hours face funding and implementation questions. Governor-elect Xavier Becerra’s “Power Hour” proposal would offer some working families two hours of free electricity daily, encouraging consumption when afternoon solar production is abundant. Eligibility, funding, and legislative support remain unresolved. UC Berkeley economist Severin Borenstein estimated that typical household savings would likely remain below $200 annually because generation represents only part of utility bills. ABC7, November 9, 2026.
California lawmakers positioned for congressional climate oversight roles. Jared Huffman and Zoe Lofgren could lead House committees overseeing natural resources and science. Los Angeles Times, November 5, 2026.
Commentary and analysis
Jeremy Martin, “How Governor Becerra Can Tackle Unfair Gas Prices Without Sacrificing Environmental Progress, Union of Concerned Scientists, November 5, 2026.
Carbon capture and litigation
Court finds Carbon TerraVault I approval violated California environmental law. Kern County Superior Court found deficiencies in the environmental review supporting California Resources Corp.’s carbon capture and storage project at Elk Hills. According to Earthjustice, which represented project opponents, the November 2 ruling requires the county to set aside its approval and the company to halt project operations until legal requirements are met. Earthjustice, November 3, 2026.
Senate Republicans seek reversal of California emissions waiver ruling. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republican senators asked a federal appeals court to overturn a ruling finding that EPA likely acted unlawfully by submitting California emissions waivers for congressional repeal. The dispute concerns whether Clean Air Act waivers qualify for review under the Congressional Review Act and whether the district court improperly interfered with congressional authority. Reuters, November 4, 2026.
Petroleum production and fuel supply
Sable discloses October sales disruption and liquidity pressures. Sable Offshore reported that its principal crude purchaser curtailed purchases beginning October 6 because of operational problems, with the disruption continuing throughout October. The company reduced production, began selling to additional refiners in early November, and lowered its second-half sales outlook. Its quarterly filing warned of substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern without improved sales or additional financing. Sable Offshore SEC filing; Politico, November 9, 2026.
California Resources targets early 2027 restart of San Pablo Bay Pipeline. California Resources Corp. said it aims to restart the pipeline in the first quarter of 2027 following its acquisition of Crimson’s infrastructure. Management said the restart would restore a northbound outlet for California crude, expand access to buyers, and improve transportation flexibility. The company said commercial and logistical arrangements remained to be completed, while additional permits or restart capital were not required. Yahoo Finance; Politico, November 4, 2026.
CEC examines refinery resupply requirements to address maintenance-related price risks. The CEC held a workshop on refinery resupply planning under AB X2-1 and SB X1-2. The proceeding examines how inventories, replacement supplies, and maintenance-related production losses affect transportation fuel prices and reliability, while accounting for worker and community safety. The workshop advanced the rulemaking process without adopting final requirements. CEC, November 9, 2026.
Data centers and electricity demand
Alhambra voters back citywide data center prohibition. Voters approved Measure DB, affirming a City Council ban on data centers in all zoning districts. The measure places the prohibition in a voter-approved ordinance, strengthening local restrictions as California communities respond to concerns about electricity demand, infrastructure, and land use. Reported results showed overwhelming support, although vote counting continued after election night. San Gabriel Valley Tribune, November 3, 2026.
Anthropic reportedly secures $3.4 billion in gas-fired generation equipment. Anthropic agreed to acquire gas-fired generators for data centers in a transaction worth approximately $3.4 billion, according to reporting citing the Financial Times. The agreement illustrates how AI developers are moving directly into power procurement as electricity availability and equipment shortages constrain expansion. The report does not establish that the equipment will serve California facilities. Yahoo Finance, November 8, 2026.
Utilities and grid reliability
PG&E seeks cost recovery for enterprise and geographic information systems. PG&E filed an application seeking authorization to recover costs associated with its Enterprise Resource Planning and Geographic Information Systems. The application, filed November 3 as proceeding A26-11-004, begins a CPUC review of the requested recovery; it does not itself authorize customer charges. CPUC, November 9, 2026.
CEC reviews applications process for distributed reliability funding. The CEC held a pre-application workshop for its Distributed Electricity Backup Assets solicitation supporting resources that increase supply or reduce or shift demand during extreme events. The solicitation offers up to approximately $46.1 million, subject to specified program allocations, to support grid reliability and reduce blackout risks. CEC, November 5, 2026.
Lithium and clean energy development
CEC examines environmental and public health implications of Lithium Valley development. A CEC workshop in Calexico focused on potential impacts of the emerging lithium industry and the regulatory measures intended to address them. The agenda emphasized tribal and community concerns, monitoring, and opportunities to measure and mitigate environmental and health effects. The discussion forms part of the commission’s Lithium Valley informational proceeding. CEC, November 6, 2026.
Federal permitting
Bonta urges Senate to postpone permitting vote pending further revisions. Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a coalition of 16 attorneys general seeking additional changes to the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act. The coalition argued that the revised bill still threatens state and tribal authority over water quality, historic resources, and environmental review. The letter requested postponement of a Senate vote until lawmakers address those concerns. California Department of Justice, November 9, 2026.
Renewable energy
Commentary and analysis
Edward Ring, “Calculating the Cost of Floating Offshore Wind Electricity,” California Policy Center, November 4, 2026.
Maeve Allsup, “What will it take to open California’s market to more VPPs?,” Latitude Media, November 6, 2026.
Beyond California
Elections and energy policy
Renewable energy shares rally following congressional election results. Renewable energy companies gained as Democratic congressional victories raised expectations of stronger oversight of the Trump administration and a more supportive political environment. Ørsted, Vestas, and several U.S. solar and clean power companies advanced. Financial Times, November 6, 2026.
Commentary and analysis
“How the Democratic sweep could change US energy policy,” Reuters, November 4, 2026.
Dan Gearino, “Democrats’ Big Statehouse Wins Could Transform Climate and Energy Policy,” Inside Climate News, November 5, 2026.
Frederick Bell, “Powering the Midterms: How Candidates Connected Clean Energy and Affordability,” Center for American Progress, November 4, 2026.
Edward Ring, “Energy, Population, and Prosperity,” California Policy Center, November 4, 2026.