BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1014
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Date of Hearing: May 24, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 1014 (Williams) - As Amended: May 8, 2013
Policy Committee: Utilities and
Commerce Vote: 9-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill creates a shared renewable energy program by requiring
the PUC to authorize electrical corporations to provide
customers with a voluntary option to participate in a renewable
energy program. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the PUC to authorize electrical corporations to
provide participating customers with bill credits from
renewable energy generation facilities.
2)Requires the PUC, by July 1, 2014, to approve the advice
letters if the PUC finds that the proposed program is
reasonable and consistent with specified findings
3)Exempts small electrical corporations from providing similar
programs.
4)Requires the program to be funded by participants without
shifting costs to non-participants.
5)Authorizes up to 600 MW divided proportionally among the
electrical corporations.
6)Limits the size of each facility to no larger than 20 MWs.
7)Sunsets the program on January 1, 2019.
FISCAL EFFECT
Increased costs to the PUC of approximately $250,000 (special
fund) to administer the program.
AB 1014
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COMMENTS
1)Rationale . According to the author, California accounts for
more than 70% of solar photovoltaic installations for
residential and commercial electricity production in the
United States. Programs like the California Solar Initiative
(CSI) have provided significant benefits for customers who own
their homes and businesses.
An overwhelming majority of California residents, businesses
and other organizations are unable to utilize solar power due
to obstructed or shaded roofs, renting their property, or lack
of resources.
The author contends off-site renewables arrangements allowing
ratepayers to purchase shares in renewable facilities and
receive generation credits on utility bills will enable
low-income Californians and others to renewable energy market.
2) Background. This bill is largely based on a recent
settlement between PG&E and interveners on a green tariff.
The settlement provides for up to 250 MWs of load to be
served by the green tariff from 20 MW facilities located as
close as possible to the participating customers.
Additional provisions include inclusion of disadvantaged
communities, treatment of renewable generation for purposes of
compliance with the Renewable Portfolio Standard, and other
considerations.
This bill does not address the large scale renewable goal but
is intended to address a subset of the Governor's proposed
20,000 MW "Clean Energy Jobs Plan. Specifically, the Governor
recommends 12,000 megawatts of localized energy and projects
of up to 20 megawatts should be built on public and private
property throughout the state.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
AB 1014
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