BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1126 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 24, 2013 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair AB 1126 (Gordon) - As Amended: May 8, 2013 Policy Committee: Natural ResourcesVote:9-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill establishes regulatory standards for facilities that convert municipal solid waste (MSW) for energy generation. Specifically, this bill: 1)Defines the terms MSW conversion and MSW waste facility. 2)Requires countywide siting elements to include a description of the areas to be used for the development of MSW conversion. 3)Specifies that tires and biomass processed by conversion are not considered disposal. 4)Requires an MSW facility to adhere to the same laws and permit requirements as solid waste facilities. FISCAL EFFECT Minor, absorbale costs to CalRecycle to permit municipal solid waste conversion facilities pursuant to the Integrated Waste Management Act. COMMENTS 1)Purpose. According to the author, the intent of this bill is to establish a clear permitting pathway for conversion facilities that process MSW in a manner that provides a reasonable approach commensurate with the potential risk to public health and safety. Dwindling landfill capacity and the infeasibility of siting AB 1126 Page 2 and permitting new disposal sites have created a significant demand for alternative management options for MSW, especially in the Los Angeles area. However, significant regulatory barriers exist for the development of these technologies in California, including the lack of guidance on how these facilities could be permitted by CalRecycle. This bill would allow MSW to be converted for energy generation, which would offset the need for traditional fossil fuels. The author states that by reducing the use of fossil fuels and moving the material away from landfills, this bill would help California achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals. 2)Background. The term conversion technologies generally refers to a variety of technologies that process solid waste through chemical, biological, or other non-combustion thermal technologies to produce energy or renewable fuels. These technologies create energy using three main processes: thermochemical, biochemical, and physicochemical. Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081