Committee reviews gas‑infrastructure bill that would boost reporting and electrification review by regulators

Sen. Stern's Natural Gas Ratepayer Protection Act was presented to the committee by a member on his behalf. The author explained the bill would require gas utilities to submit an annual report describing expenditures for gas distribution infrastructure replacement and upgrades, and empower the California Public Utilities Commission to consider cost‑effective electrification or non‑pipeline alternatives before approving rate recovery for such projects.

The author said the bill does not ban safety or emergency repairs but seeks to ensure the PUC has data to protect ratepayers from future stranded assets; he cited a projected replacement of about 8,900 miles of gas mains by 2045 and a $43 billion cost estimate. Valerie Torella of PG&E testified that the company held an "opposed unless amended" position but was engaged in robust conversations with the author; county representatives from Fresno and Kern also registered respectful opposition. Department of Finance said it had "no file" on the bill and offered to answer fiscal questions.

The committee took the bill on call to allow further conversations; the author requested an I vote and members recorded their positions when the measure was called. Committee members emphasized the need for continued engagement between the author and affected stakeholders to resolve outstanding fiscal and implementation questions.