Energy Newsom signs bill to advance nuclear fusion technology It was one of several energy and and environmental measures enacted this week. Humberto Sanchez 09:29 AM, Oct 02, 2026 California Gov. Gavin Newsom displays one of the conservation bills he signed during a visit to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) California Gov. Newsom signed a bill at the deadline for him to act on legislation that incorporates nuclear fusion into the state’s future energy plans, one of several energy and environmental measures enacted this week. The new law requires the state to develop a strategic plan and streamlined certification framework for fusion energy. The plan will include identifying opportunities to expand research and development, locating potential sites for fusion power plants, and creating licensing and permitting processes for fusion facilities. Fusion energy, which is still in the research phase, is a potential method of electric power generation from heat released by nuclear fusion reactions. It mimics the power of the sun by combining atoms to produce clean energy. Unlike nuclear fission, fusion is considered safer, produces no long-lived radioactive waste, and carries no risk of nuclear accidents. “California has always been where big ideas become real-world breakthroughs,” Newsom said in a statement. “Through cutting-edge research and continued investments, we are moving past what is possible, and instead shaping what comes next.” Other states have also taken steps to advance nuclear fusion. Wisconsin enacted legislation in April to exempt fusion technology projects from sales and use taxes. Here is what some of the other energy bills Newsom signed aim to do: AB 2463: Requires the California Public Utilities Commission to more intensely scrutinize how the return-on-equity is determined. The ROE is the guaranteed profit embedded directly into monthly consumer utility bills. AB 2647: Directs the California Energy Commission to prepare a comprehensive assessment by Jan. 1, 2028, evaluating the potential role of advanced nuclear technologies and new in-state nuclear power plants in enhancing grid reliability and in achieving the state’s 100% zero-carbon electricity goal by 2045. SB 868: Updates state regulations to make it easier to install plug-in solar systems, including exempting systems from interconnection agreement requirements with the serving utility. SB 905: Directs regulators to consider reducing the return-on-equity for lower-risk investments, like burying power lines to reduce wildfire liability risks. SB 913: Makes it easier for utilities and grid operators to tap virtual power plants, which link decentralized energy devices — like home batteries, solar panels, electric vehicle chargers and smart thermostats — so they function together like a single, large power plant. Here is what several of the environmental bills Newsom signed aim to do: AB 40: Requires the California Environmental Quality Act apply to any large-scale coal handling, storage or export facility exceeding 5 million short tons a year, with a full environmental impact report required before approving the project. The measure was spurred by a federal push to build a coal export terminal at a decommissioned Army base in Oakland. AB 1448: Prohibits using state oil infrastructure to expand or support federal offshore oil drilling. The bill comes after the Trump administration ordered the restart of the Sable pipeline system, which connects three offshore oil platforms that sit between 5 and 9 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara County. AB 2313: Mandates that gas utilities launch a Gas Distribution Service Line Replacement Alternatives Program by Jan. 1, 2028, that provides monetary incentives for eligible residential property owners to cease gas service and switch to non-gas energy alternatives rather than replacing planned service lines. SB 222: Streamlines the heat pump permitting process and prohibits homeowners’ associations from imposing additional heat pump requirements beyond state code. SB 1359: Requires gas utilities to submit an annual report to regulators on their gas infrastructure, including investments, project statuses and remaining costs. It would also require regulators to consider whether cost-effective electrification alternatives could avoid pricey investments in gas infrastructure as they consider cost recovery for the utilities.