Chapter 4 - Additional Powers of the District

Sections (2)

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 573, Sec. 1. (AB 2661) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)For purposes of this section, “for its own purposes” means the Westlands Water District performing only functions within its capacity as a water district, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(1)Pumping operations.

(2)Water treatment operations.

(3)Barrier intrusion operations.

(4)Desalination operations.

(b)(1) The Westlands Water District may provide, generate, and deliver solar photovoltaic electricity, and may construct, operate, and

maintain any and all works, facilities, improvements, and property, or portions thereof, necessary or convenient for generating and delivering that electricity.

(2)An electric powerplant or transmission line constructed pursuant to this subdivision may be leased for operation.

(3)The electricity generated pursuant to this subdivision shall be used by the Westlands Water District for its own purposes. The district may sell surplus electricity to a public or private entity that is engaged in the distribution or sale of electricity.

(c)The Westlands Water District may construct, operate, and maintain an energy storage system, as defined in Section 2835 of the Public Utilities Code, and all works, facilities, improvements, and property, or portions thereof, necessary or convenient for the operation of an energy

storage system, within the boundaries of the district, regardless of whether the energy storage system is interconnected to or directly charged by an electric powerplant constructed pursuant to subdivision (b). An energy storage system constructed pursuant to this subdivision may be leased for operation. The district may operate an energy storage system in a manner intended, as determined by the district, to increase the economic value of the energy storage system and the district is not required to use the discharging energy for its own purposes. The district may purchase discharging energy through a market administered by the Independent System Operator. The district may sell discharging energy and any attributes of the energy storage system through a market administered by the Independent System Operator.

(d)The Westlands Water District may construct, operate, and maintain electrical transmission lines and all works, facilities,

improvements, and property, or portions thereof, necessary or convenient for the conveyance of electricity within the boundaries of the district, regardless of whether the transmission lines are used for the purpose of conveying electricity from an electric powerplant constructed pursuant to subdivision (b). Transmission lines constructed pursuant to this subdivision may be leased for operation. The district may sell the rights to use transmission lines constructed pursuant to this subdivision to any public or private entity that is engaged in the distribution or sale of electricity. Transmission facilities developed pursuant to this section shall be controlled by a California balancing authority, as defined in Section 399.12 of the Public Utilities Code, regardless of ownership by the Westlands Water District or a subsequent owner.

(e)This section does not authorize the Westlands Water District to provide, sell, or deliver electricity at

retail.

(f)The Westlands Water District shall not acquire property employed in the generation or delivery of electricity for public or private utility purposes, except by mutual agreement between the district and the owner of that property.

(g)The Westlands Water District shall report the amount of income, and the purposes for expenditure of that income, from electricity facilities constructed pursuant to this section in the report required by Section 53892 of the Government Code.

§ 37861

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 573, Sec. 1. (AB 2661) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)The Westlands Water District shall establish a community benefits agreement plan for the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan and related transmission and other electrical projects constructed pursuant to Section 37860.

(b)The community benefits agreement plan shall be designed to ensure that local communities have meaningful opportunities to participate and access benefits associated with projects that are part of the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan.

(c)The community benefits agreement plan shall outline the specific benefits to be provided to local communities, which may include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(1)Job creation and training programs for local residents.

(2)Use of local businesses and vendors.

(3)Financial contributions to community development projects and programs.

(d)For purposes of this section, “local communities” means counties, cities, and other local governmental agencies located within, or adjacent to, the Westlands Water District’s jurisdictional boundaries.