Sacramento, CA—Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications passed SB 1206, authored by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park). This bill would incentivize the creation of a first-of-its-kind battery manufacturing facility for next generation batteries to California, which will create dependable, high-paying manufacturing jobs and bring our state closer to its clean energy goals.
SB 1206 authorizes the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to develop a public-private partnership of labor, private-sector manufacturers, investors, and community partners to create a plan for a battery manufacturing hub in the state. The bill aims to duplicate the public-private partnership model proven successful by ARCHES. It would decrease costs and increase access to next-generation batteries, advance the state’s clean energy and EV deployment goals, and maximize workforce and equity benefits.
“Our state must continue to transition into more innovative, clean technologies in order to combat the climate crisis and grow our economy,” said Becker. “SB 1206 moves California towards our ambitious climate goals by incentivizing the creation of a much-needed battery manufacturing plant that will support the growing transition to EVs and clean technologies, while creating high-paying and quality jobs.”
“We are pleased to see SB 1206 pass through the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. As we look for ways to meet California’s climate goals, it should go without saying that we must also be mindful of the impacts on communities and the workforce tasked with building and maintaining the necessary infrastructure,” says Chris Hannan, President of the State Building and Construction Trades Council. “By including PLAs, labor peace policies, and local hire, SB 1206 allows for continued investment in clean energy technologies while prioritizing workers. The forward-thinking, community-first requirements in this bill ensure that the benefits accrued by local communities will not fade away once these manufacturing facilities are built.”
This legislation will support California’s efforts to bring down grants from the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as provide support to the private sector in the innovation and commercialization of these new technologies. This public-private partnership will support California’s EV and clean energy transition supporting High Road jobs and community benefits.
SB 1206 is sponsored by the State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, and supported by Blue Current, INC, California Mobility Center, Clean Transportation Technologies and Solutions, and Rising Sun Center for Opportunity. It now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.