BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 551
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Date of Hearing: August 19, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
SB 551
(Wolk) - As Amended July 6, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill establishes a state policy, as is feasible, that water
use and water treatment shall operate in a manner that is as
energy efficient and that energy use and generation shall
operate in a manner that is as water efficient. Additionally,
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this bill:
1)Requires all relevant state agencies to consider the water and
energy efficiency policy when revising, adopting, or
establishing policies, regulations, and criteria pertinent to
the use of energy and water.
2)Defines feasibility as capable of being accomplished in a
successful manner within a reasonable period of time taking
into account life-cycle analyses, cost-effectiveness, social,
public health, and technological factors.
3)Prohibits the implementation of this policy from infringing on
the rights or responsibilities of any public water system or
public utility.
FISCAL EFFECT:
GF and various special fund cost pressures, potentially in the
millions of dollars, to increase grant awards, reprioritize
programs, and change state operations to increase energy and
water efficiency.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, California must take every
measure to ensure that both water and energy efficiencies are
maximized by developing water and energy policies that
recognize the nexus between these two vital resources.
By establishing state policy, this bill promotes actions that
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are both energy and water efficient.
2)Background. The Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources
Conservation and Development Act establishes the state's
policy to promote all feasible means of energy and water
conservation and all feasible uses of alternative energy and
water supply sources.
The Water Measurement Law contains Legislative findings and
declarations that declare the waste or unreasonable use of
water imposes unnecessary and wasteful consumption of energy
to deliver or furnish the water therefore, water usage should
be measured in order to reduce energy consumption.
This bill is consistent with both state policies.
3)Related Legislation. SB 471 (Pavley) includes the reduction
of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with water
treatment as eligible for AB 32 cap and trade revenues and
requires various state agencies to study water related energy
use and develop a grant program for water projects that reduce
GHGs. This bill is pending in this committee.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
SB 551
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