AB 516, as introduced, Brown. Renewable energy: transmission infrastructure: taking of birds.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations, as defined, while local publicly owned electric utilities, as defined, are under the direction of their governing boards. Existing law establishes various requirements and programs to promote the use of renewable energy. Existing law establishes the Department of Fish and Wildlife and requires the department to enforce and administer the fish and game laws pursuant to the policies formulated by the Fish and Game Commission. Existing fish and game laws make it unlawful to take any bird, except as provided.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a mechanism for permitting the taking of birds, eggs, and nests, subject to reasonable avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures to facilitate the construction of electrical transmission infrastructure to help achieve the state’s renewable energy goals.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
It is the intent of the Legislature to enact
2legislation that would establish a mechanism for permitting the
3taking of birds, eggs, and nests, subject to reasonable avoidance,
4minimization, and mitigation measures to facilitate the construction
5of electrical transmission infrastructure to help achieve the state’s
6renewable energy goals.
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