April 29, 2019
The Honorable Toni Atkins
California Senate President Pro Tempore
California State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
Subject: SB 386 (Caballero) - Oppose
Dear Senate Pro Tem Atkins,
On behalf of the American Lung Association, we are writing to express our opposition to SB 386
(Caballero). SB 386 would threaten progress to achieving California’s renewable energy goals that
were most recently strengthened to achieve 60 percent renewable power by 2030 (per SB 100,
2018; de León).
Californians face the most difficult air pollution challenges in the United States, a challenge made
much more difficult due to climate change impacts. The American Lung Association’s State of the
Air 2019 report found that climate change is impacting California’s clean air progress today in the
form of higher temperatures that push more ozone pollution, and catastrophic wildfires that have
blanketed California communities in hazardous particle pollution. The clear message is that we
must do more, and more quickly to reduce harmful pollution that threatens our air and drives
climate impacts. The transition to renewable energy is a critical issue for improving local air
quality and confronting climate change threats to public health. This was the basis for dozens of
leading California health organizations supporting SB 100 to increase California’s Renewable
Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal to 60 percent by 2030.
By allowing existing large scale hydro-power projects to count toward the RPS goal in 2030, SB
389 would interfere with achieving 60 percent renewables by 2030. This bill would allow a set of
irrigation districts to take credit for existing large hydro-power projects, thereby weakening the
signal for procurement of new renewable power sources. The lack of investment in non-hydro
renewable sources would increase the risk of a heavier reliance on fossil fuels during drought
years. We are deeply concerned that the progress and leadership being shown through
California’s critical policies to reduce harmful pollution would be undermined by this measure, and
because of the precedent it would set for additional utilities to seek similar concessions.
The American Lung Association in California is opposed to SB 386 because it would interfere with
achieving 2030 RPS goals to increase renewable energy resources and cut harmful pollution.
Sincerely,
Will Barrett
Clean Air Advocacy Director

Sacramento
1531 I Street, Suite 201   Sacramento, CA 95814
Ph: 916-554-5864 cainfo@Lung.org