BILL NUMBER: AB 2271	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 17, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Quirk

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2016

    An act to amend Section 388 of the Public Utilities Code,
relating to energy.   An act to add Section 713 to the
Public Utilities Code, relating to electricity. 


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2271, as amended, Quirk.  Energy efficiency. 
 Electricity: research programs: peer review.  
   Existing law provides the Public Utilities Commission with broad
authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations.
Existing law requires the commission to convene, or continue, until
August 26, 2025, an independent peer review panel to conduct an
independent review of enhanced seismic studies and surveys of a
certain nuclear powerplant.  
   This bill would require the commission to establish a procedure
for an independent peer review of certain research programs proposed
by an electrical corporation for approval by the commission. The bill
would require the independent peer review of a proposed research
program to be conducted upon the commission's receipt of the proposed
program. The bill would require the commission to make available to
the public on its Internet Web site the results of the review upon
approval of the program.  
   Existing law authorizes any state agency to enter into an energy
savings contract with a qualified energy service company for the
purchase or exchange of thermal or electrical energy or water, or to
acquire energy efficiency services, water conservation services, or
both, for a term not exceeding 35 years, at those rates and upon
those terms that are approved by the agency.  
   This bill would make nonsubstantive revisions to this
authorization. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    Section 713 is added to the  
Public Utilities Code  , to read:  
   713.  (a) For purposes of this section, "research programs" means
programs for the development of novel and innovative processes that
are proposed by electrical corporations for approval by the
commission and that would be funded through the rates of ratepayers
of the electrical corporations. Research programs do not include
programs that are funded pursuant to the Public Interest Energy
Research, Demonstration, and Development Program (Chapter 7.1
(commencing with Section 25620) of Division 15 of the Public
Resources Code) or the Electric Program Investment Charge program
developed pursuant to Section 25711.5 of the Public Resources Code.
   (b) The commission shall establish a procedure for independent
peer review of research programs proposed by an electrical
corporation. The independent peer review shall be conducted in
accordance with the procedure upon the commission's receipt of a
proposed research program.
   (c) The commission shall make available to the public on its
Internet Web site the results of the review upon the approval of the
research program.  
  SECTION 1.    Section 388 of the Public Utilities
Code is amended to read:
   388.  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a state
agency may enter into an energy savings contract with a qualified
energy service company for the purchase or exchange of thermal or
electrical energy or water, or to acquire energy efficiency services,
water conservation services, or both, for a term not exceeding 35
years, at those rates and upon those terms that are approved by the
agency.
   (b) The Department of General Services or any other state or local
agency intending to enter into an energy savings contract may
establish a pool of qualified energy service companies based on
qualifications, experience, pricing, or other pertinent factors.
Energy service contracts for individual projects undertaken by any
state or local agency may be awarded through a competitive selection
process to individuals or firms identified in such a pool. The pool
of qualified energy service companies and contractors shall be
reestablished at least every two years or shall expire.
   (c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

   (1) "Energy savings" means a measured and verified reduction in
fuel, energy, or water consumption when compared to an established
baseline of consumption.
   (2) "Qualified energy service company" means a company with a
demonstrated ability to provide or arrange for building or facility
energy auditors, selection and design of appropriate energy savings
measures, project financing, implementation of these measures, and
maintenance and ongoing measurement of these measures as to ensure
and verify energy savings.