California Lawmakers Push Bill to Join Western US Power Grid

Electric utilities in California would be able to more easily tap into power from across the Western US through a regional transmission organization under compromise legislation that state lawmakers unveiled Wednesday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and legislators want to clear the bill (AB 825) before they adjourn by the end of the week to better connect California’s power supply to neighboring states. Business groups and some environmentalists argue the legislation would help lower electric costs, improve reliability and provide a broader market for renewable energy projects across the region.

The last-minute measure would allow the state to join ...