BILL NUMBER: AB 578	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  627
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 22, 2008
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 28, 2008
	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 18, 2008
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 14, 2008
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 12, 2007
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 1, 2007
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 16, 2007
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 9, 2007

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Blakeslee and Levine

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2007

   An act to amend Section 25783 of the Public Resources Code, and to
add Section 321.7 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to energy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 578, Blakeslee. Energy: distributed energy generation: study.
   (1) Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission (Energy Commission), in consultation with
the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), to evaluate the costs and
benefits of having an increased number of operational solar energy
systems as part of the electrical system.
   This bill would delete this requirement.
   (2) Under the existing Public Utilities Act, the PUC is required
to report to the Legislature by July 15, 2009, and triennially
thereafter, on the energy efficiency and conservation programs
overseen by the PUC, as specified.
   This bill would require the PUC, on or before January 1, 2010, and
biennially thereafter, in consultation with the Independent System
Operator and the Energy Commission, to study, and submit a report to
the Legislature and the Governor, on the impacts of distributed
energy generation on the state's distribution and transmission grid.
The bill would require the PUC to specifically assess the impacts of
the California Solar Initiative program, the self-generation
incentive program, and the biogas customer-generator net energy
metering pilot program.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 25783 of the Public Resources Code is amended
to read:
   25783.  The commission shall do all the following:
   (a) Publish educational materials designed to demonstrate how
builders may incorporate solar energy systems during construction as
well as energy efficiency measures that best complement solar energy
systems.
   (b) Develop and publish the estimated annual electrical generation
and savings for solar energy systems. The estimates shall vary by
climate zone, type of system, size, life cycle costs, electricity
prices, and other factors the commission determines to be relevant to
a consumer when making a purchasing decision.
   (c) Provide assistance to builders and contractors. The assistance
may include technical workshops, training, educational materials,
and related research.
   (d) The commission shall annually conduct random audits of solar
energy systems to evaluate their operational performance.
  SEC. 2.  Section 321.7 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   321.7.  (a) On or before January 1, 2010, and biennially
thereafter, the commission, in consultation with the Independent
System Operator and the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission, shall study, and submit a report to the
Legislature and the Governor, on the impacts of distributed energy
generation on the state's distribution and transmission grid. The
study shall evaluate all of the following:
   (1) Reliability and transmission issues related to connecting
distributed energy generation to the local distribution networks and
regional grid.
   (2) Issues related to grid reliability and operation, including
interconnection, and the position of federal and state regulators
toward distributed energy accessibility.
   (3) The effect on overall grid operation of various distributed
energy generation sources.
   (4) Barriers affecting the connection of distributed energy to the
state's grid.
   (5) Emerging technologies related to distributed energy generation
interconnection.
   (6) Interconnection issues that may arise for the Independent
System Operator and local distribution companies.
   (7) The effect on peak demand for electricity.
   (b) In addition, the commission shall specifically assess the
impacts of the California Solar Initiative program, specified in
Section 2851 and Section 25783 of the Public Resources Code, the
self-generation incentive program authorized by Section 379.6, and
the net energy metering pilot program authorized by Section 2827.9.