California Passes Bill to Advance Clean Energy Transition through Cities & Counties

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Legislature passed Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur’s (D-Hollywood) Local Electrification Planning Act (AB 39) today, positioning California to take a major step toward modernizing local energy infrastructure and ensuring that Californians––especially low-income households and disadvantaged communities—benefit from the clean energy transition.

AB 39 will require cities and counties to develop comprehensive local electrification plans that expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, decarbonize homes and buildings, integrate clean, renewable energy resources to meet growing demand, and protect public health in the face of worsening extreme heat and climate threats.

“We commend Assemblymember Zbur and the Legislature for passing AB 39, which empowers local governments to modernize and expand critical EV charging infrastructure,” said Darryl Little Jr., State Policy Director at CALSTART. “By building out the charging network that renters, households, and drivers need to adopt EVs, this bill helps support and accelerate the EV market, improve air quality, and move California closer to its climate goals.”