(

a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) California is a leader in driving the affordable and equitable transition to a clean reliable energy system and economy. However, the impacts of climate change are occurring sooner and with more intensity and frequency than previously anticipated.

(2) Extreme events from climate change, including heat waves, wildfires, and drought, combined with other factors, such as supply chain disruptions, are jeopardizing California’s ability to build out the electrical infrastructure needed to maintain affordability and reliability.

(3) As California transitions to a clean energy future and contends with climate impacts and other challenges, sufficient capacity of new and existing generation assets will be required to maintain reliability during extreme events.

(4) California must ensure electricity reliability during this period of heightened risk, which includes extraordinary near-term measures and substantive changes to mid-term energy policy, while also ensuring the multifaceted California electrical grid is best positioned to sustainably and equitably achieve California’s clean energy future, climate targets, and air quality requirements. (

b) It is the intent of the Legislature that:

(1) The enactment of this division further the purposes of

Chapter 8.9 (commencing with

Section 25790) of Division of the Public Resources Code. The development and operation of a program as provided in this division is in all respects for the welfare and the benefit of the people of the state, to protect public peace, health, and safety, and constitutes an essential governmental purpose. This division shall be liberally construed in a manner so as to effectuate its purposes and objectives.

(2) The powers and responsibilities of the department established under this division are not governed by the provisions related to the State Water Resources Development System pursuant to

Chapter 8 (commencing with

Section 12930) of Part of Division 6, and this division should not constitute a limitation on, or modification of, the department’s authority pursuant to

Chapter 8 (commencing with

Section 12930) of Part of Division 6.