Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 39, the Local Electrification Planning Act, into law Tuesday, requiring California cities and counties with populations exceeding 75,000 to create electrification plans prioritizing low-income communities and renters.
The groundbreaking legislation, authored by Democratic Caucus Chair Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) and sponsored by the Building Decarbonization Coalition and CALSTART, mandates local governments develop plans expanding access to clean energy solutions as the state transitions to zero-emission technologies.
California has committed to putting 8 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 and electrifying appliances in homes and businesses. Meeting these goals requires an estimated 1 million new charging stations and major investments in home and community electrification.
Currently, renters, multi-family households and low-income communities face the steepest barriers to electrification. AB 39 addresses infrastructure gaps by requiring local governments to provide equitable access to electric vehicle charging and help residents retrofit homes for clean energy appliances.
The measure explicitly prioritizes low-income families, renters, small businesses and those relying on street parking, ensuring they participate in California's clean energy future.
"California cannot meet its climate goals unless every community has the tools and infrastructure to make the clean energy transition," Zbur said. "AB 39 ensures local governments are empowered to plan for equitable electrification."
Madison Vander Klay of the Building Decarbonization Coalition called the legislation "a powerful step forward" in expanding access to heat pumps and cooling for low-income communities.
The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Edited by SMDP Staff