BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2137
Page A
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2137 (Quirk)
As Amended August 5, 2014
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |77-0 |(May 27, 2014) |SENATE: |34-0 |(August 7, |
| | | | | |2014) |
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Original Committee Reference: U. & C.
SUMMARY : Requires the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA)
within the Governor's Office of Business and Economic
Development (GO-Biz) to post information regarding demandside
energy management programs available to small businesses in
California on its internet website. This bill also requires the
California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to revise the
Energy Upgrade California's website to include demandside
management programs for nonresidential customers, with an
emphasis on small business.
The Senate amendments :
1)Delete the requirement for California Energy Commission (CEC)
involvement in updating the Energy Upgrade California Internet
Web site.
2)Clarify language related to small business customers.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS :
1)Purpose. According to the author, the state has not yet
developed a comprehensive outreach program for small
businesses even though funds are being invested in energy
efficiency upgrade and outreach programs across the state.
Helping small businesses become more energy efficient can help
California reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions in our most impacted communities.
2)Background. OSBA resides within the Governor's Office of
AB 2137
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Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and advocates for
California's small business community. OSBA staff provide
assistance to the state's small business community on issues
ranging from regulations to procurement. Depending on the
issue, staff can refer small businesses to appropriate
contacts in state government, business, and service
organizations. OSBA staff also serve on various state
interagency working groups and task forces to represent small
business interests in state legislation, policy, and
procedures.
The PUC, in consultation with the CEC, is required to identify
all potentially achievable cost-effective electricity and
natural gas efficiency savings and establish efficiency
targets.
3)Energy efficiency in California. To meet California's AB 32
(Núñez), Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006, climate goals - a
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 -
the state has taken a multifactorial approach that includes
renewable energy mandates and strategies that increase energy
efficiency while decreasing energy consumption.
Energy efficiency efforts have targeted both residential and
non-residential customers, encompassing advanced building and
appliance standards, incentive programs, design and
installation training, and public outreach.
In November 2012, a PUC decision approved a two-year budget of
$1.9 billion for 2013-2014 energy efficiency programs
administered by the IOUs - Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern
California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, and Southern
California Gas.<1> Budgets were also approved for two regional
energy networks (San Francisco Bay Area Regional Energy
Network and Southern California Regional Energy Network) and
one community choice aggregator (Marin Energy Authority).
Analysis Prepared by : Brandon Gaytan / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
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<1>
PUC Decision 12-11-015.
http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M034/K299/34
299795.PDF
AB 2137
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FN: 0004370