§ 3190. — 3190. (Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 419, Sec. 1.)

For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:
(a)
“Federal agency” means the United States Environmental Protection Agency, including Region 9 of that agency.
(b)
(1)
“Gravity-based energy storage well” means a well that meets all of the following:
(A)
The well is plugged with all perforations sealed, including by the use of permanent bridge plug.
(B)
The well is
isolated from a hydrocarbon reservoir.
(C)
The well has mechanical integrity.
(D)
The well is not a conduit for fluid migration into a beneficial use aquifer.
(E)
The well is exclusively used to store or generate energy by raising or lowering a weight within the well casing.
(2)
A well that has been fully plugged and abandoned pursuant to Section 3208 is not eligible to be a gravity-based energy storage well.
(3)
A well listed as an orphan well pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 3206.3 or an idle-deserted well, as defined in Section 3251, is eligible to be converted
for use as a gravity-based energy storage well if all applicable and necessary rights to do so have been obtained.

Legislative History

Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 419, Sec. 1. (SB 567) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2035, pursuant to Section 3190.9.