Portable, plug-in solar panels soak up rays on the deck of a home in the San Francisco Bay Area.Bright Saver

This story was originally published by Canary Media and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.

California lawmakers are considering two bills that would slash red tape for households looking to add certain types of clean tech.

Earlier this month, Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener, whose district includes San Francisco, introduced legislation that would make it easier for individuals to adopt all-electric, super-efficient heat pumps (SB 222) and plug-in solar panels (SB 868).

“The cost of energy is too high,” Wiener told Canary Media. ​“We want to lower people’s utility bills; we want people to be able to participate in the clean energy economy; and we want people to be able to take control of their energy future. And that’s what these bills do.”

The proposals come as Americans are in the grip of a worsening cost-of-living crisis—of which energy is a key driver.

“We should empower people to use this technology. And right now, it’s too hard.”

Electricity costs have grown at about 2.5 times the pace of persistent inflation, and home heating costs are expected to surge this winter. In California, which has the second-highest electricity rates in the nation, the problem is particularly pressing. Heat pumps and plug-in solar panels........

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