SB 3979

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that all decarbonization pilots, pathways, or infrastructure plans under a Future of Gas proceeding pursuant to the final Order of the Commission in Docket No. 24-0158 shall undergo a Regulatory Takings Assessment prior to approval. Requires the Assessment shall be conducted by an independent third party and evaluated and confirmed by intervenors and stakeholders. Provides that the Assessment shall evaluate certain factors. Provides that a mandate in a decarbonization pilot, pathway, or infrastructure plan shall not be approved if the mandate risks creating a taking without compensation that is equivalent to at least 80% of depreciated asset value. Provides that the Commission shall coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the alignment of air pollution standards and shall require, by rule, uniform metrics across decarbonization pilots, pathways, and infrastructure plans, including bill impacts and equity analyses. Provides that rulemaking pursuant to the amendatory Act shall be completed by June 1, 2026 and rules adopted pursuant to the amendatory Act shall be applied to all Phase 2C proposals, as specified under the final Order of the Commission in Docket No. 24-0158.