MINUTES
Legislative & Regulatory Committee
of the Clean Power Alliance of Southern California
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
Meeting videos are available on CPA's YouTube Channel.
http://www.youtube.com/@CPApublicmeetings
Committee Members participated in this meeting from the following locations:
Carson City Hall
Executive Conference Room
701 East Carson Street
Carson, CA 90745
Clean Power Alliance Office
Executive Conference Room
801 S. Grand Ave., Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90017
LA County Hall of Administration
Sybil Brand Conference Room, Room 372
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
West Hollywood City Hall
3rd Floor City Manager’s Conference Room
8300 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Santa Monica City Hall
Room CH-201
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Lynwood City Hall
Annex Building, Conference Room
11330 Bullis Road
Lynwood, CA 90262
CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
Chair Hicks called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and Annie Mendoza, Deputy Clerk of the Board, conducted roll call.
ROLL CALL
Carson Cedric Hicks Committee Chair Remote
Los Angeles County Rita Kampalath Alternate Remote
Lynwood Juan Muñoz-Guevara Committee Member Remote
Santa Monica Gleam Davis Committee Member Remote
West Hollywood John Erickson Committee Member Absent
All votes are unanimous, unless otherwise stated.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve Minutes from the October 29, 2025, Legislative & Regulatory Committee Meeting
Motion: Committee Member Muñoz-Guevara, Lynwood
Second: Committee Member Kampalath, Los Angeles County
Vote: The consent agenda was approved by a roll call vote
REGULAR AGENDA
2. Receive 2026 Legislative Update
Gina Goodhill, Senior Director, Government Affairs, presented three bills to the Committee, including AB 2396 sponsored by CPA on transmission financing. AB 2396 clarifies that CCAs may engage in transmission financing. In addition, Ms.
Goodhill also presented two other bills sponsored by CalCCA focusing on PCIA transparency and Resource Adequacy transactability; the former would require the CPUC or the IOUs to share with CCAs how calculations are made for the PCIA and for any other charges CCA customers pay and the latter would allow energy purchases to align with the Slide of Day framework.
Chair Hicks asked about the strategy for approaching legislators on upcoming Lobby Day, and staff responded that they would target committee members working on energy issues, legislators representing the CPA territory, and those who have shown support for greater affordability. CPA will also connect with the Governor’s Office. Staff clarified for Chair Hicks that CPA’s professional lobbyists in Sacramento have been advising on strategy as well as promoting the bills.
Committee Member Muñoz-Guevara inquired whether CPA board members could help identify bill authors for the RA proposed bill, and staff stated that CalCCA is close to securing an author and that CPA-supported bills usually go through the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee or its counterpart in the Senate.
3. Receive Presentation on the Zero-Emission Standard Rulemakings at South Coast Are Quality Management District and the California Air Resources Board and Provide Guidance to Staff
CC Song, Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs, explained that the regional South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) proposed rule on zero-emission standards for space and water heaters was rejected by the SCAQMD Board on a 7 to 5 vote last June. CPA had previously supported the SCAQMD proposal. The state California Air Resources Board (CARB) has issued a new Zero-Emission Standard Rulemaking proposal that aligns with what had been proposed by SCAQMD. This proposal includes setting emission limits for space, water, and pool heaters, as well as creating an emission credit trading system.
CPA staff requested guidance on whether to maintain its past position on the SCAQMD proposal, which generally supports appliance emissions reductions to support improvement in local air quality and reduction in GHG emissions, robust public outreach and education during the rulemaking and implementation processes, and use of revenues resulting from penalties and fees to support customers in need. The SCAQMD proposal also included an emissions trading system which could benefit those customers.
Staff clarified for Committee Member Muñoz-Guevara that the draft regulation will be issued in the first quarter of this year, and that there will be 45 days to provide comments. There is a possibility that another draft of revised regulations may be issued before it goes to the board. Committee Member Kampalath inquired about revisions being worked on now and also about the nature of the opposition to the standards proposal that was rejected. Ms. Song responded that revisions are not likely to come from the regional board, and that the opposition mainly came from manufacturers and their trade associations, who are concerned about cost. They were also threatening legal action. Ms. Song stated that there is strong support from environmental groups and the City of Santa Monica.
Committee Member Davis asked about the likelihood of the standards being adopted and whether federal intervention is expected. Staff responded that adding emissions credit trading may garner support for the proposal and that planning and developing regulations must continue, regardless of who is in power at the federal level. There have been threats of DOJ intervention; those may or may not be carried out. Committee Member Davis suggested that CPA collaborate with federal elected officials from California for whatever assistance and support they can provide.
In response to Chair Hicks’ inquiry about impacts on reach codes, staff stated that two California cities have been sued by the federal government over their reach codes that proposed to ban gas appliances. CPA’s consultants working with member agencies are focusing on an emissions-based approach to reach codes, rather than complete bans on appliances. Committee Member Muñoz-Guevara made a comment about standards being voted down by the SCAQMD Board; the vote appeared to be a political gesture on the part of a couple of board members.
Chair Hicks suggested that low-income residents be considered when new standards are adopted and mandates issued; staff stated that rebates and incentives may be included in final draft regulations and if not, CPA could recommend them.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Chair Hicks welcomed Juan Muñoz-Guevara from the City of Lynwood to the Committee.
Staff reminded the Committee to RSVP for Lobby Day on March 10, 2026, and that a planning meeting will be held with CPA lobbyists prior to the event.
ADJOURN
Chair Hicks adjourned the meeting at 10:47 a.m.