BILL ANALYSIS
AB 228
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 228 (Huffman)
As Amended April 20, 2009
Majority vote
UTILITIES & COMMERCE 9-5 NATURAL
RESOURCES 6-3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Ayes:|Fuentes, Buchanan, |Ayes:|Skinner, Brownley, |
| |Carter, Fong Furutani, | |Chesbro, |
| |Huffman, Krekorian, | |De Leon, Hill, Huffman |
| |Swanson, Torrico | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Duvall, Tom Berryhill, |Nays:|Gilmore, Knight, Logue |
| |Blakeslee, Fuller, Smyth | | |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
APPROPRIATIONS 10-5
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Ayes:|De Leon, Ammiano, Davis, | | |
| |Fuentes, Hall, John A. | | |
| |Perez, Price, Skinner, | | |
| |Solorio, Torlakson | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Nielsen, Duvall, Harkey, | | |
| |Miller, Audra Strickland | | |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY : Requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to
adopt minimum energy efficiency standards that would reduce
statewide electricity consumption from outdoor lighting as soon
as practicable. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires that instead of adopting minimum energy efficiency
standards for outdoor lighting that would reduce consumption
of outdoor lighting by 25% by 2017, that CEC adopt standards
that would reduce consumption by 25% as soon as practicable.
2)Clarifies that when adopting the outdoor lighting standards
CEC shall have the authority to include efficiency standards
AB 228
Page 2
for outdoor lighting systems.
3)Eliminates the requirement that CEC consult with the
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) when
adopting outdoor lighting standards.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires CEC to adopt minimum energy efficiency standards for
all general-purpose lights. The standards are to be structured
so that standards, along with programs and activities, will
reduce the average statewide electrical energy consumption
levels from outdoor lighting by not less than 25% from 2007 to
2017.
2)Requires CEC to consult with Caltrans to ensure that outdoor
lighting standards that affect Caltrans are compatible with
Caltrans' policies and standards for safety.
FISCAL EFFECT : The CEC considers a more aggressive deadline for
meeting the 25% reduction as unattainable, thus there should not
be any additional costs beyond those attached to the legislation
that enacted the original deadline (see below).
COMMENTS : According to the author, the purpose of this bill is
to further increase the efficiency of outdoor lighting by
requiring CEC to adopt more stringent outdoor lighting
standards.
AB 1109 (Huffman), Chapter 534, Statutes of 2007, required CEC
to adopt minimum efficiency standards for both indoor and
outdoor lighting by January 1, 2008. The bill required that the
standards for outdoor lighting should result in a 25% decrease
in electricity usage by 2017. CEC has adopted specific
standards for general-purpose light bulbs (which included bulbs
used in outdoor lighting). However, to meet the 25% reduction,
CEC may be required to implement standards for entire lighting
systems that will reduce overall usage. These standards could
include systems such as automatic shut-off switches, dimmers,
motion sensors, etc.
This bill changes current law which provides that the CEC should
adopt standards that reduce electricity consumption for outdoor
lighting by 25% by 2017; and, instead requires that the CEC
AB 228
Page 3
adopt standards to meet the 25% goal as soon as practicable.
According to CEC staff, the 2017 time frame is already an
aggressive goal and they do not believe the goal can be met
sooner than that date.
AB 228 also gives CEC explicit authority to adopt efficiency
standards for lighting systems. This provision is a restatement
of existing law as CEC has the authority to adopt lighting
system standards under Title 24 today.
Analysis Prepared by : Edward Randolph / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
FN: 0000651