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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSB 1282 (Becker) Battery Integration and Grid Reliability Act - City of SLO - SUPPORTCity of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7114, slocity.org April 6, 2026 Senator Benjamin Allen Chair, Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 7610 Sacramento, CA 95814-4900 Re: SB 1282 (Becker) - Transportation electrification: grid-integrated vehicle technologies SUPPORT Dear Chair Allen, The City of San Luis Obispo is writing in support of SB 1282 (Becker), a bill that ensures grid connected vehicles can be used as a resource to strengthen California’s electrical grid, support clean energy, and create cost savings for ratepayers. California now has millions of electric vehicles on the road, each with a battery that sits idle for much of the day. Collectively, these batteries represent a vast, distributed energy storage resource that could be integrated with the electric grid, a practice known as Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI). VGI includes two primary configurations: managed charging, in which charging schedules are aligned with grid conditions to prioritize times of high clean energy production and low demand, and bidirectional charging, in which a vehicle can export energy to an external source such as powering a home during a blackout. With high adoption rates, grid integrated vehicle batteries could substantially improve grid reliability and support the transition to clean electricity, reducing the cost of building a more resilient electric system. Currently, only a small share of vehicles on the market offer VGI capabilities, limiting consumer choice and preventing realization of the technology’s full grid and cost saving benefits. Multiple organizations have analyzed the potential of grid integrated vehicles and found significant benefits for both drivers and ratepayers. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that, with high participation rates, grid savings could exceed $10 billion annually through 2045. Research from the Electric Power Research Institute shows that just 2.5 million bidirectional capable electric vehicles could generate $1 billion in annual grid benefits. At a time when many Californians are struggling with rising utility costs and with electricity rates continuing to increase at an unsustainable pace, the savings potential from grid integrated batteries is an essential consideration as the state works toward its 2045 clean energy goals. SB 1282 directs the California Energy Commission to evaluate the state’s need for grid integrated vehicles and authorizes the Commission to set standards requiring manufacturers to provide a baseline level of VGI ready battery capability. This ensures Californians can access and benefit from this valuable resource. The bill recognizes the crucial role that electrified vehicles will play in a grid powered primarily by wind and solar. These vehicles can provide electricity supply or backup power during periods of high demand or outages and can charge during periods of abundant clean energy when power is least expensive. This approach helps keep energy both reliable and affordable. We thank Senator Becker for his introduction of SB 1282 and his leadership on this pressing issue of electricity availability and affordability. We respectfully urge your “aye” vote. Sincerely, Erica A. Stewart Mayor City of San Luis Obispo cc. Senate Committee on Energy, Utillities, and Communications Senator Josh Becker Senator John Laird Assemblymember Dawn Addis Dave Mullinax, Cal Cities League of California Cities, cityletters@cacities.org