Welcome to our new monthly advocacy newsletter for June 2026. All around us, from local ordinances up to decisions at the regional, state, or federal level, the policy world affects and shapes our communities on the ground. Inside this issue we'll unpack the latest developments and offer you some quick and easy ways to get more involved and make your voice heard! We'll drop in your inbox the first Thursday of the month. |
State Legislative Roundup |
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During each legislative session, Acterra tracks climate and environment bills that touch environmental justice and our program areas of electrification, sustainable food, clean air, and clean water. This month, we are highlighting two high-priority bills that have advanced to the second chamber. (In June, bills that have made it through a floor vote in the Assembly move on to Senate committees, and vice versa.) Note: images below of elected officials are only examples. Entering your location into ActionButton will bring up your legislators. |
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| SUPPORT: SB 868 (Wiener) Plug-In ("Balcony") Solar For specific portable solar devices, this streamlining bill would lower regulatory barriers established by state law and electric utilities regarding how these devices connect to the grid (known as “interconnection” rules). This bill has seen broad support from solar advocates, including Californians who do not own their home but want to be able to benefit from solar energy produced on a balcony. Following a successful vote in the Senate, the bill is now headed to Assembly committees. Action: Send a message of support to your CA Assemblymember (or click the image). |
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| OPPOSE: AB 2748 (Quirk-Silva) Exemptions for Affordable Housing EV Charging Access This bill would roll back key gains in standards of EV charging access for affordable housing developments (new or existing). This problematic bill would: deny low-income housing residents access to the most affordable type of charging, home charging; set a damaging precedent of undoing established state building code; and squander major cost savings opportunities when charging is installed at the time of construction, leading to future cost increases. AB 2748 cleared the Assembly and will be heard in Senate Committees. Action: Urge your CA Senator to strongly oppose AB 2748. |
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Stop EV Fees in H.R. 8870 “Build America 250 Act” |
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This flawed and harmful federal bill strips away essential funding for electric vehicle infrastructure while proposing a sizable new tax on EV owners more than double the amount paid by an average driver of a gas-powered vehicle. Take action (takes just a minute) - You can make a difference. H.R. 8870 will come out of committee and be sent to the House Floor for a vote this week. Now is the time to contact your Congressperson. Use Acterra’s handy button to take action.
For more impact: |
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Bay Area Air District Rule 9-6 |
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On May 13, the Bay Area Air District’s Board of Directors met to discuss Rule 9-6, which will improve air quality by only allowing the sale of zero-NOx-emitting residential water heaters within the District (where “NOx” is short for nitrogen oxides). A vote on the implementation of this rule is expected in October of this year. While the rule was scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2027, Air District staff have recommended pushing the date back to October 2027 to allow for more public education to take place and for an exemption-granting system to be created. During the discussion, 10 board members spoke in favor of moving Rule 9-6 forward. The supporters included Board chair Lynda Hopkins (Supervisor, Sonoma County), who commented, “When we talk about affordability, let’s talk about the affordability of asthma… Let’s talk about the affordability of premature death and heart disease, missed work, missed sports practices, [and] missed school.” Please send a short thank-you note to the 10 supportive Board members so they know their constituents are paying attention and strongly approve of their actions. Use Acterra’s simple action tool to quickly send your message. Please personalize your message to include your personal experience with electrification, climate change, or health impacts. |
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- “South B Street Bespoke Project” - Acterra recently submitted a comment in support of this mixed-use, all-electric development in downtown San Mateo featuring retail space, underground parking, and 100% affordable residential housing (71 homes). On May 18, the project received unanimous approval by City Council.
- Connect Bay Area measure - the pro-transit campaign announced the submission of 305,000 signatures (77,100 collected through grassroots efforts), while the SF-based Stronger Muni for All campaign submitted 18,500 signatures (9,000 from volunteer efforts). Both measures seem on track for placement on election ballots in November after meeting a signature verification process.
- CARB controversy - On May 29, the Air Resources Board approved the state’s market-based regulatory program (“cap and invest”). CARB’s decision was seen by many climate advocates as being too soft on the fossil fuel industry, due to $800 million of new allowances for polluting industries' compliance support. plus a massive new Manufacturing Decarbonization Incentive fund that could reach $4 billion.
- Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA)/Farms Together program This sunsetting program linked producers and local demand by connecting small, under-resourced farms to food banks in need of fresh produce. Please check out the LFPA/Farms Together Toolkit with scripts and talking points that will enable you to make calls to Assemblymembers and State Senators in support of LFPA funding
- Improving Energy Transparency (AB 1761). Acterra submitted a support letter for this state legislation which aims to reduce unexpected (and sometimes costly) ups and downs in a part of a consumer’s energy bill called the “Power Charge Indifference Adjustment” or PCIA, likely a term you have never heard of. By requiring utilities to disclose their data and methods for calculating the PCIA, it allows other entities to “check the work” of investor-owned utilities, reduce potential errors, and help protect consumers from sudden rate shocks.
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- Acterra's East Bay Green@Home Tour - Saturday, June 6. Link to Register
- Acterra's Marin Green@Home Tour (just announced!) - Saturday, August 29. Link to Register
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Support strong policy advocacy today. Your donation can help expand our impact on Bay Area climate action. Thank you for your support! |
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