BILL NUMBER: AB 2339	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 6, 2012
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 25, 2012
	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. Existing law requires the Energy Commission to
prepare an integrated energy policy report every 2 years.
   This bill would require the Energy Commission, 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. The Energy Commission would be
required to include those evaluations and recommendations in the
integrated energy policy report that is required to be adopted for
calendar year 2013.
   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.  (a) The commission, in consultation with the Public
Utilities Commission, State Air Resources Board,  cities,
counties, special districts,  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 policies and strategies, the commission shall
consider all of the following:
   (1) 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.
   (2) 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.
   (3) The impact of  widespread   the  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.
   (b) The commission shall include the evaluations and
recommendations made pursuant to this section in the integrated
energy policy report that is required to be adopted for calendar year
2013, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 25302.