Solar panel

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of energy and environmental bills closing out California's 2026 legislative session, reshaping how the state's power system is run and financed. Senate Bill 913 directs the Public Utilities Commission to create a pathway by June 30, 2027, for aggregating home batteries, solar panels, EV chargers and smart thermostats into "virtual power plants" that can export electricity to relieve grid strain. SB 905 requires the CPUC to consider lowering utility profit margins on lower-risk investments, such as undergrounding lines, and pushes utilities to disclose unused grid capacity. PG&E and Southern California Edison opposed SB 905, warning it could discourage needed infrastructure investment, while remaining neutral on the virtual power plant measure. A related law from Sen. Scott Wiener eases permitting for small "balcony solar" systems aimed at renters.

Newsom also signed measures countering federal fossil-fuel expansion, including new environmental review requirements for coal facilities tied to a planned Oakland export terminal, and a ban on using state waters to support new federal offshore oil leases. He vetoed bills on community solar and industrial siting reforms, and signed a $7.5 billion science and health research bond for the 2028 ballot.

Charity leaders across Massachusetts report unprecedented demand for food assistance as the state prepares for federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program taking effect Oct. 1. Under the change, the federal government will reduce its share of SNAP operations funding from 50% to 25%, a shift expected to cost Massachusetts roughly $53 million in additional expenses in the coming fiscal year. New eligibility rules, including expanded work requirements, are also making it harder for residents to qualify for federal aid, pushing more people toward local food pantries already stretched thin.

The cuts stem from broader Trump administration policy changes affecting federal safety-net programs. State officials and nonprofit leaders warn that without additional support, food insecurity could worsen significantly heading into the fiscal year. The situation adds to growing scrutiny of how federal funding reductions are reshaping social services at the state level, with advocates calling for increased state investment to fill the gap left by reduced federal contributions to the program.

California's legislature has passed Senate Bill 868, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which would legalize and set safety standards for plug-in "balcony solar" systems. These portable setups let residents place small solar panels on a balcony or in a backyard and plug them directly into a standard 120-volt outlet, drawing solar power before pulling from the grid. The bill now awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature or veto.

Supporters say the technology, already popular in Europe and sold widely in Germany, could expand solar access to renters and owners of smaller homes who can't install rooftop systems, potentially saving households $400 to $800 a year amid steep California electricity rate increases. Eight other states, starting with Utah in 2025, have already legalized plug-in solar. Opponents, including the California State Association of Electrical Workers, warn that allowing installation without professional oversight or standardized inspection could create fire and shock hazards. The bill permits utilities to require device registration but bars them from charging fees or mandating grid connection.