BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: AB 693 SENATOR MARK DESAULNIER, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: HUFFMAN VERSION: 5/30/2012 Analysis by: Larry Baskett FISCAL: yes Hearing date: June 19, 2012 SUBJECT: Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority DESCRIPTION: This bill extends authorization for the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority from 2016 to 2020. ANALYSIS: AB 881(Huffman), Chapter 375, Statutes of 2009 established the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) to coordinate and help implement actions that local Sonoma County agencies take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Authorized activities of RCPA include assisting with the reduction of energy consumption, increasing energy efficiency, increasing water use efficiency, address carbon sequestration, addressing transportation alternatives, and quantifying greenhouse gas reduction. The RCPA has the same board membership as the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA), but is a distinct legal entity. RCPA board members include representatives from the County of Sonoma and from all of that county's nine cities. The RCPA may receive grants, and it may use SCTA funds identified to assist in greenhouse gas reduction. The RCPA cannot override the actions of other local agencies. Existing law sunsets the RCPA on January 1, 2016. AB 693 (HUFFMAN) Page 2 This bill extends the RCPA's authorization until January 1, 2020. COMMENTS: 1.Purpose . The purpose of this bill is to continue RCPA's authority to assist local agencies in Sonoma County in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The RCPA is a single-purpose entity that coordinates county-wide efforts on developing efficient buildings, clean energy, alternative transportation, and other efforts to adapt to climate change. Examples of RPCA-driven activities include implementation of the Energy Upgrade California residential home program with federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, receipt of grant funds for greenhouse gas reduction planning, partnerships to develop and install new technologies, such as an electric vehicle charging station network, and assisting in the development of transportation and land use plans to further the goals of SB 375 (Steinberg), Chapter 728, Statutes of 2008. The RCPA has adopted a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25% below the 1990 level by 2015. Much work remains beyond 2015 to further address climate change issues. Assembly Votes: Not relevant. POSITIONS: (Communicated to the Committee before noon on Wednesday, June 13, 2012) SUPPORT: Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority / Sonoma County Transportation Authority (sponsor) AB 693 (HUFFMAN) Page 3 OPPOSED: None received.