Newsom floated special session to deal with energy priorities

By Camille von Kaenel | 09/05/2025 11:44 AM EDT

The California governor’s comments came during an August meeting on forming a Westwide power grid.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom stands in front of an American flag during a press conference.

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has privately floated the idea of calling a special session to get his energy priorities through the state Legislature, two sources said. Rich Pedroncelli/AP

SACRAMENTO, California — Gov. Gavin Newsom floated calling a special legislative session to get his energy priorities through the Legislature in a meeting last month, two attendees told POLITICO.

What happened: Newsom (D) made the remark during an Aug. 13 meeting with backers of an initiative to regionalize the Western electricity grid, according to two people granted anonymity to discuss a closed-door meeting.

“He sort of made a flip comment that, ‘We’re going to stay here as long as it takes, and I will call special session after special session,’” said one of the people.

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Asked about the remarks, a Newsom spokesperson said Thursday that he was still working to get deals on grid regionalization and other climate and energy issues by the end of the regular session Sept. 12.

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