BILL NUMBER: AB 1027	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Blumenfield

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section 25785 to the Public Resources Code, relating
to energy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1027, as introduced, Blumenfield. Energy: solar energy.
   Existing law establishes the State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission in the Natural Resources Agency. Existing
law requires the commission, by January 1, 2008, to establish
eligibility criteria for solar energy systems receiving ratepayer
funded incentives, as specified.
   This bill would require the commission to administer a solar
schools and nonprofits program to encourage schools, hospitals, and
specified nonprofit public benefit corporations to install solar
energy systems. The bill would require the program to seek to
encourage the greatest number of installations while effectively
generating electricity through renewable energy systems. As part of
that program, the bill would require the commission to administer a
grant and revolving loan program for the installation of solar energy
systems by those entities. The bill would state the Legislature's
intent that, upon appropriation, money from a specified settlement
and delegated for energy efficiency retrofitting projects by that
settlement be used for the program, consistent with the settlement.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Solar-generated electricity is uniquely suited to California's
needs because it produces electricity when the state most needs it,
during the peak demand hours in summer afternoons when the sun is
brightest and air conditioners are running at capacity.
   (b) Procuring solar electric generation capacity to meet peak
electricity demand increases system reliability and decreases the
state's dependance on unstable fossil fuel supplies.
   (c) Increasing the state's solar electricity generation market
will bring additional manufacturing, installation, and sales jobs to
the state at a higher rate than most conventional energy production
sources.
   (d) Solar energy systems provide substantial energy reliability
and pollution reduction benefits, diversify the state's energy
supply, and thereby reduce the state's dependence on imported fossil
fuels.
   (e) There are more than 175 nonprofit hospitals and thousands of
tax exempt organizations established for public benefit in the state
that are potential contributors in meeting the goals of the solar
energy initiative.
  SEC. 2.  Section 25785 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
   25785.  (a) In order to further the state goal of encouraging the
installation of 3,000 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy in the
state within 10 years, the commission shall administer a solar
schools and nonprofits program to encourage schools, hospitals, and
other nonprofit public benefit corporations qualified under Section
501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code and operating
primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or other
similar purposes in the public interest to install solar energy
systems. The program shall seek to encourage the greatest number of
installations while effectively generating electricity through
renewable energy systems.
   (b) As part of the program administered pursuant to subdivision
(a), the commission shall administer a grant and revolving loan
program for the installation of solar energy systems by schools,
hospitals, and nonprofit public benefit corporations described in
subdivision (a).
   (c) The Legislature intends that, upon appropriation, money from
the settlement between the Attorney General and the Williams Energy
Corporation on November 11, 2002, and delegated for energy efficiency
retrofitting projects by that settlement, be used for the program
established by this section, consistent with the requirements of that
settlement.