BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 415
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CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 415 (Garcia)
As Amended June 25, 2013
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |74-0 |(May 23, 2013) |SENATE: |37-0 |(September 3, |
| | | | | |2013) |
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Original Committee Reference: U. & C.
SUMMARY : Broadens the test protocols and accredited listing
agencies that eligible equipment can use to be eligible for
solar water heating incentives. Specifically, this bill
requires that solar water heating systems be certified by an
accredited listing agency in accordance with standards developed
by an accredited standard developer and adopted by the
California Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
The Senate amendments are non-substantive and technical in
nature.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS :
1)Author's statement . "In 2007 when the Governor signed AB 1470
into law, the Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (SRCC)
was the only solar system certification then in existence. Now
there are several accredited listing agencies that have the
ability to review and issues certification for solar
collectors used in systems for multifamily residential,
commercial, government, nonprofit, educational, or industrial
water heating."
2)Background . In 2010, PUC authorized the California Solar
Initiative (CSI) Thermal Program, which pays incentives to
solar water heating (SWH) systems that displace gas water
heating and electric water heating. CSI Thermal Program was
established pursuant to AB 1470 (Huffman), Chapter 536,
Statutes of 2007, which contains direction to PUC in regards
to the program budget, design, and eligibility criteria. AB
AB 415
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1470 required that to be eligible for an incentive a
residential SWH system must be certified by SRCC. AB 1470
also required that to be eligible for a non-residential
incentive the solar collectors must be certified by SRCC.
3)Alternative Rating Systems . In October 2011, PUC approved a
D1111004 finding that International Association of Plumbing
and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) are qualified to certify
solar water heating systems to SRCC standards. CSI Thermal
Program Administrators were directed to accept SRCC
certifications rendered by IAPMO. Additionally, the PUC's
decision established a process for considering requests for
acceptance of SRCC certification performed by entities that
are American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited
listing agencies.
Part of the basis of PUC's decision was a letter from the
author of AB 1470, former Assemblymember Huffman, stating
that: "It's also important to note that regardless of the
entity certifying a solar water heating unit, all
certification entities should produce the same test results
when testing a solar water heater for eligibility?"
PUC also noted that there should not be much difference
between SRCC and other entities' test results.
4)If there's no difference, why is this important ? As written
the current statute creates a monopoly for one listing entity.
If this bill is enacted manufacturers could choose among
testing agencies based on a variety of factors, such as
timeliness of testing, cost, or proximity to the test
facility.
This concept of multiple testing agencies is not new. For
example, in electric equipment safety testing, Underwriters'
Laboratory (UL) develops test protocols. UL also provides
equipment testing. However, other accredited testing
organizations, such as Intertek, may also provide equipment
testing.
According to the sponsors, this bill will provide an open,
competitive market for certification services.
Analysis Prepared by : Susan Kateley / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
AB 415
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FN: 0001708