BILL NUMBER: AB 2717 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
CHAPTER 957
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 27,2002
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 29, 2002
PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 28, 2002
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 26, 2002
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 22, 2002
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 5, 2002
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 12, 2002
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Hertzberg
FEBRUARY 22, 2002
An act to add Section 12949.6 to the Water Code, relating to
water, and making an appropriation therefor.
(Approved by Governor September 26, 2002. Filed with
Secretary of State September 27, 2002.)
I am signing Assembly Bill 2717, however, I am reducing the
appropriation from the Renewable Resources Investment Fund to
$100,000.
This bill would require the Department of Water Resources to
convene a Water Desalination task force to make recommendations
related to potential opportunities for the use of seawater and
brackish water desalination.
The revenues from the Renewable Resources Investment Fund are
below projections and the fund is expected to have a significant
shortfall this year. At a time when the state is dealing with a $24
billion shortfall, any available funds should be used for on-going
environmental activities and programs now supported by the General
Fund that would otherwise be reduced or eliminated.
Studying the potential opportunities and impediments for the use
of water desalination is an important step toward helping the state
meet its water needs. Therefore, I am directing the Department of
Water Resources to explore funding partnerships with interested local
and private entities to accomplish this goal.
GRAY DAVIS, Governor
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2717, Hertzberg. Water: desalination: report.
(1) The Cobey-Porter Saline Water Conversion Law authorizes the
Department of Water Resources, either independently or in cooperation
with public or private entities to conduct a program of
investigation, study, and evaluation in the field of saline water
conversion, to provide assistance to persons or entities seeking to
construct desalination facilities, and after submission of a written
report and upon appropriation from the Legislature, to finance,
construct, and operate saline water conversion facilities.
This bill would require the department, not later than July 1,
2004, to report to the Legislature, on potential opportunities and
impediments for using seawater and brackish water desalination, and
to examine what role, if any, the state should play in furthering the
use of desalination technology. The bill would require the
department to convene a Water Desalination Task Force, comprised of
representatives from listed agencies and interest groups, to advise
the department in carrying out these duties and in making
recommendations to the Legislature.
(2) Under existing law, the Bosco-Keene Renewable Resources
Investment Fund is established for certain purposes.
This bill would appropriate $600,000 from the Bosco-Keene
Renewable Resources Investment Fund to the department for the purpose
of establishing the Water Desalination Task Force and preparing the
report required by the bill.
Appropriation: yes.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
(a) There is a clear public interest in ensuring that land and
facilities are available for cost-effective seawater desalination.
(b) Recent advances in technology could make seawater desalination
a more attractive option for increasing available water supplies.
(c) Additional information is necessary to assess the potential
opportunities for seawater desalination in California.
(d) The activities of a water desalination task force are
consistent with those activities for which the moneys in the
Bosco-Keene Renewable Resources Investment Fund may be used pursuant
to Section 34000 of the Public Resources Code.
SEC. 2. Section 12949.6 is added to the Water Code, to read:
12949.6. (a) Not later that July 1, 2004, the Department of Water
Resources shall report to the Legislature on potential opportunities
for the use of seawater and brackish water desalination in
California. The report shall evaluate impediments to the use of
desalination technology and shall examine what role, if any, the
state should play in furthering the use of desalination in
California.
(b) The department shall convene a task force, to be known as the
Water Desalination Task Force, to advise the department in
implementation of subdivision (a), including making recommendations
to the Legislature regarding the following:
(1) The need for research, development and demonstration projects
for more cost effective and technologically efficient desalination
processes.
(2) The environmental impacts of brine disposal, energy use
related to desalination, and large-scale ocean water desalination.
(3) An evaluation of the current regulatory framework of state and
local rules, regulations, ordinances, and permits to identify the
obstacles and methods to creating an efficient siting and permitting
system.
(4) Determining a relationship between existing electricity
generation facilities and potential desalination facilities,
including an examination of issues related to the amounts of
electricity required to maintain a desalination facility.
(5) Ensuring desalinated water meets state water quality
standards.
(6) Impediments or constraints, other than water rights, to
increasing the use of desalinated water both in coastal and inland
regions.
(7) The economic impact and potential impacts of the desalination
industry on state revenues.
(8) The role that the state should play in furthering the use of
desalination technology in California.
(9) An evaluation of a potential relationship between desalination
technology and alternative energy sources, including photovoltaic
energy and desalination.
(c) (1) The task force shall be convened by the department and be
comprised of one representative from each of the following agencies:
(A) The department.
(B) The California Coastal Commission.
(C) The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development
Commission.
(D) The California Environmental Protection Agency.
(E) The State Department of Health Services.
(F) The Resources Agency.
(G) The State Water Resources Control Board.
(H) The CALFED Bay-Delta Program.
(I) The Department of Food and Agriculture.
(J) The University of California.
(K) The United States Department of Interior, if that agency
wishes to participate.
(2) The task force shall also include, as determined by the
department, one representative from a recognized environmental
advocacy group, one representative from a consumer advocacy group,
one representative of local agency health officers, one
representative of a municipal water supply agency, one representative
of urban water wholesalers, one representative from a regional water
control board, one representative from a groundwater management
entity, one representative of water districts, one representative
from a nonprofit association of public and private members created to
further the use of desalinated water, one representative of land
development, and one representative of industrial interests.
(d) The sum of $600,000 is hereby appropriated from the
Bosco-Keene Renewable Resources Investment Fund to the department for
the purpose of establishing the task force and preparing the report
required in subdivision (a).