BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 361
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Date of Hearing: May 20, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
361 (Achadjian) - As Amended April 29, 2015
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|Policy |Governmental Organization |Vote:|20 - 0 |
|Committee: | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------|
| |Utilities and Commerce | |15 - 0 |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill extends the sunset date for the Nuclear Planning
Assessment Special Account from July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2025, to
continue funding emergency service programs and planning
activities for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo
County.
FISCAL EFFECT:
AB 361
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The Nuclear Planning Assessment Special Account had expenditures
of approximately $5.5 million per year since FY 2011-12, funded
entirely through regulatory fees.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. According to the author, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
pays into the Nuclear Planning Assessment Special Account under
the Office of Emergency Services. PG&E is currently scheduled
to stop paying into the account on July 1, 2019, which is before
its license to operate the Diablo Canyon facility, the state's
only operating nuclear power plant, expires in July 2024. As a
result, the Diablo Canyon facility could remain in operation
without having to contribute the costs of emergency planning.
AB 316 addresses this issue by extending the sunset date of the
account, ensuring emergency programs remain funded throughout
the duration of the Diablo Canyon facility license.
Utilities do not ultimately pay the fees associated with this
fund, but rather are authorized by the Public Utilities
Commission to pass them along to customers.
Analysis Prepared by:Joel Tashjian / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
AB 361
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