What you need to know: Governor Newsom streamlined a solar and battery storage project in the Fresno area that would provide clean energy to power up to 300,000 homes.

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced he is taking action to streamline a clean energy project in Fresno that would power up to 300,000 homes.

The Governor certified the Cornucopia Hybrid Project in Fresno County utilizing a law to build more, faster that was extended in the historic infrastructure package passed in 2023 with the support of the Legislature. The certification means a streamlined process for legal challenges that can otherwise cause long delays.

“In California, we’re in the ‘how’ business - we’re moving fast to achieve our world-leading clean energy goals. By fast-tracking critical projects like this one in Fresno, we’re creating good-paying jobs, cutting pollution, and building a cleaner, more reliable energy grid to serve Californians for generations.” - Governor Gavin Newsom

Why it matters

• Cleaner, more reliable energy. The Cornucopia Hybrid Project is poised to deliver 300 megawatts (MW) of renewable solar energy and 300 MW of battery storage. This combination will enable the facility to dispatch carbon-free electricity to the grid during peak demand times, including evening and nighttime hours when renewable generation is limited. 
• Advancing clean energy goals. The project would help California achieve its world-leading climate and clean energy goals, including powering the state with 90% clean electricity by 2035 and 100% by 2045.
• Spurring economic growth and creating jobs. The project will generate essential tax revenues for local schools, infrastructure, and emergency services, while boosting the economy with construction and long-term operational jobs.
• Prioritizing safety. The project aligns with California efforts focused on proactively addressing safety for battery storage systems through comprehensive state-level collaborations and regulatory updates. Governor Newsom recently convened a state-level collaborative to find opportunities to improve safety as the technology continues to evolve. Key initiatives include an update to the California Fire Code happening this year, expected to include enhanced BESS safety standards. 

A swift path to clean energy

• SB 7 (2021) allows the Governor to certify eligible clean energy and green housing projects for judicial streamlining under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This key tool to cut red tape was extended in 2023’s SB 149.
• Courts must decide CEQA challenges to certified projects within 270 days to the extent feasible - saving months or even years of litigation delays after a project has already passed environmental review, while still allowing legal challenges to be heard.

How we got here

• Governor Newsom signed into law a package of bills to accelerate critical infrastructure projects across California that will help build our 100% clean electric grid, ensure safe drinking water and boost the state’s water supply, and modernize our transportation system.
• By streamlining permitting, cutting red tape, and allowing state agencies to use new project delivery methods, these new laws will maximize taxpayer dollars and accelerate timelines of projects throughout the state, while ensuring appropriate environmental review and community engagement.
• Over the next ten years, the package will take full advantage of an unprecedented $180 billion in state, local, and federal infrastructure funds and create an estimated 400,000 good-paying jobs. Already, California has put $109 billion to work, creating over 200,000 jobs.
• Find projects building your community at build.ca.gov.