SACRAMENTO – Senator John Laird today issued the following statement regarding amendments to SB 931:

“SB 931 continues to move forward through the Legislature, and I appreciate the strong support from community members and local leaders who have worked to restore revenues for San Luis Obispo County governments and schools following the extension of operations at Diablo Canyon Power Plant.

The bill passed the Senate on a 29-10 vote and continues to make progress in the Assembly. In the Assembly Energy Committee, amendments were adopted to provide an initial two years of support using existing PG&E Volumetric Performance Fee revenues. While I would have preferred to provide support for the full five-year extension through this bill, these amendments will better position the bill to become law. If enacted, I will continue working to ensure this support extends through the full life of Diablo Canyon’s operating extension.

I remain committed to ensuring the community receives funding for all five years of Diablo Canyon’s operating extension, and my work on this will continue through and beyond this legislative session. I stand ready to see this bill through passage with the goal of having it take effect this year.”

SB 931 would restore funding to San Luis Obispo County local governments and school districts to help offset revenue losses associated with the extension of operations at Diablo Canyon Power Plant. As amended, the bill would provide an initial two years of support using existing PG&E Volumetric Performance Fee revenues while preserving the opportunity to pursue funding for the remaining years of the plant’s operating extension.

SB 931 is currently pending before the Assembly Appropriations Committee, where it will be evaluated for its fiscal impact. The committee is expected to consider the bill when the Legislature returns from summer recess in August. If approved, SB 931 would advance to the Assembly Floor for consideration by the full Assembly.