BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER
Senator Fran Pavley, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: SB 551 Hearing Date: April 28,
2015
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|Author: |Wolk | | |
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|Version: |February 26, 2015 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Dennis O'Connor |
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Subject: State water policy: water and energy efficiency
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
1.The Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Act establishes "the policy of the state and the
intent of the Legislature to promote all feasible means of
energy and water conservation and all feasible uses of
alternative energy and water supply sources." (PRC §25008)
2.In the Water Measurement Law "The Legislature further finds
and declares that waste or unreasonable use of water imposes
unnecessary and wasteful consumption of energy to deliver or
furnish the water, and it is necessary, therefore, to
determine the quantities of water in use throughout the state
to the maximum extent that it is reasonable to do so in order
to reduce that energy consumption." (WC §522)
PROPOSED LAW
This bill would declare that it is "the established policy of
the state that water use and water treatment shall be as energy
efficient as is feasible and energy use and generation shall be
as water efficient as is feasible."
The bill would further direct "all relevant state agencies shall
consider this state policy when revising, adopting, or
establishing policies, regulations, and grant criteria when
those policies, regulations, and criteria are pertinent to the
uses of water and energy described in this section."
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The bill also makes findings and declarations regarding the
interrelationship between water and energy.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
According to the author, "Water and energy are inextricably
linked. Energy generation requires water in many cases.
Transportation and treatment of water, treatment and disposal of
wastewater, and the energy used to heat and consume water
account for nearly 20 percent of the total electricity and 30
percent of non-power plant related natural gas consumed in
California. Demand for water and energy resources is expected to
rise due to population growth and also as a result of climate
change. California must take every measure to ensure both water
and energy efficiencies are maximized by developing water and
energy policies that recognize the nexus between these two vital
resources."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: None received
COMMENTS
Water/Energy Nexus. The link between water and energy resources
is known as the water-energy nexus. Advocates for greater
recognition of that nexus note that planning for water use is
often conducted without consideration of energy use or
greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, planning for energy and
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is often conducted without
consideration of water resources. As a result, local and state
agencies may not be identifying projects that best serve water
and energy investments
What would this bill accomplish? According to the author's
staff, their expectation is that under this bill, the
water/energy nexus would be taken into considering new projects
and programs. For example, grant guidelines for water use
efficiency projects would also consider how the grants could
also encourage energy efficiency.
Prior Similar Bills. The Legislature passed a somewhat similar
bill in 2012 (AB 685, Eng), which established as "policy of the
state that every human being has the right to safe, clean,
affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption,
cooking, and sanitary purposes." Proponents of that bill
subsequently used that bill to argue for the creation of a
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special office to focus on improving access to safe drinking
water. Partly in response to that effort, the water package
enacted earlier this year included a measure that established
the Office of Sustainable Water Solutions within the State Water
Resources Control Board. That office was directed to promote
permanent and sustainable drinking water and wastewater
treatment solutions to ensure effective and efficient provision
of safe, clean, affordable, and reliable drinking water and
wastewater treatment services. (AB 92, Committee on Budget).
SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS: None
SUPPORT
Sierra Club California
OPPOSITION
None Received
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