BILL NUMBER: AB 2339	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 12, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 2, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 19, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Williams and V. Manuel Pérez

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2012

   An act to add Section 25228 to the Public Resources Code, relating
to energy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2339, as amended, Williams. Energy: geothermal technologies.
   The Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Act establishes the State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission (Energy Commission) and requires the
Energy Commission to, among other things, serve as a central
repository within the state government for the collection, storage,
retrieval, and dissemination of data and information on all forms of
energy supply, demand, conservation, public safety, research, and
related subjects.
   This bill would require the Energy Commission, by July 1, 2013, in
consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, State Air
Resources Board, and other stakeholders, to evaluate  and
recommend  policies  and implementation strategies  to
overcome barriers to the widespread deployment and use of geothermal
heat pump and geothermal ground loop technologies.
   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.  Section 25228 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
   25228.  On or before July 1, 2013, the commission, in consultation
with the Public Utilities Commission, State Air Resources Board, and
other stakeholders, shall evaluate  and recommend  policies
 and implementation strategies  to overcome barriers to the
widespread deployment and use of geothermal heat pump and geothermal
ground loop technologies. In evaluating these polices  and
strategies  , the commission shall consider all of the
following:
   (a) The  quantitative  benefits and costs to ratepayers
specific to safer, more reliable, or less costly gas or electrical
service and through greater energy efficiency, reduction of health
and environmental impacts from air pollution, and reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions related to electricity and natural gas
production and use, through the use of geothermal heat pump and
geothermal ground loop technologies.
   (b) The existing statutory and permit requirements that impact the
widespread use of geothermal heat pumps and geothermal ground loop
technologies and any other existing legal impediments to the
widespread use of geothermal heat pump and geothermal ground loop
technologies.
   (c) The impact of widespread use of the geothermal heat pump and
geothermal ground loop technologies on achieving the state's goals
pursuant to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
(Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and
Safety Code) and achieving the state's energy efficiency goals.