AB 2617, as introduced, Mayes. Water efficiency measures.
The California Constitution requires that the water resources of the state be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which they are capable and that the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented. Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission), on a biennial basis, to conduct assessments and forecasts of all aspects of energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery, and distribution. Existing law requires the Energy Commission, beginning November 1, 2003, and biennially thereafter, to adopt an integrated energy policy report containing an overview of major energy trends and issues facing the state.
This bill would require the Energy Commission to develop and solicit comments on a proposed report, in consultation with certain subject matter experts, by December 1, 2017, and, by July 1, 2018, to issue a final report that contains, among other things, the projected benefits of recommended voluntary water efficiency measures and an analysis of any unintended adverse environmental impacts that would result from various water efficiency measures.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 25685)
2is added to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:
3
It is the intent of the Legislature that the state identify
7and recommend the most cost-effective water efficiency measures
8that achieve the greatest reduction in water use and avoid any
9unintended adverse environmental impacts.
As used in this chapter:
11(a) “Highly efficient consumer appliances and landscape
12systems” includes, but is not limited to, irrigation systems, toilets,
13showers, and clothes washers.
14(b) “Public entity” has the same meaning as defined in Section
15375 of the Water Code.
16(c) “Turfgrass” means any living grass that is used in fields or
17yards at a residential or commercial property, private park, athletic
18field, or public school.
19(d) “Unintended adverse environmental impacts” include, but
20are not limited to, impacts on climate change, net effect on carbon
21sequestration, increased
erosion, and impacts to stormwater runoff.
By December 1, 2017, the commission, in consultation
23with persons that include, but are not limited to, subject matter
24experts at the University of California, the California State
25University, and local water districts, shall develop and solicit
26comments on a proposed report that contains all of the following:
27(a) An analysis of the relative costs and benefits of incentives
28 for various water efficiency measures, including, but not limited
29to, turfgrass removal and replacement with either drought-resistant
30turfgrass or artificial turf, investments in graywater infrastructure
31to supply water to outdoor landscapes, and rebates for highly
32efficient consumer appliances and landscape systems.
33(b) An analysis
of any unintended adverse environmental
34impacts that would result from the water efficiency measures
35considered pursuant to subdivision (a).
36(c) The projected benefits of recommended voluntary water
37efficiency measures.
By July 1, 2018, the commission shall issue a final
2report that contains all of the following:
3(a) An identification of the most cost-effective incentives for
4water efficiency measures in terms of water use reduction per
5dollar spent.
6(b) Recommendations to public entities to help them prioritize
7the most cost-effective solutions for granting incentives or rebates
8for water efficiency measures.
9(c) An analysis of any unintended adverse environmental
10impacts that would result from the water efficiency measures
11considered pursuant to subdivision (a).
12(d) The projected benefits
of recommended voluntary water
13efficiency measures.
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