BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 840
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SENATE THIRD READING
SB
840 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review)
As Amended June 14, 2016
Majority vote. Budget Bill Appropriation Takes Effect
Immediately
SENATE VOTE: Vote not relevant
SUMMARY: Contains statutory changes related to energy necessary
to implement the 2016-17 Budget package. Specifically this
bill:
1)Defines "oil," as currently specified for under the Elder
California Pipeline Safety Act of 1981, to mean petroleum,
petroleum products, anhydrous ammonia, and ethanol.
2) Requires the State Fire Marshall to provide to the
Legislature an annual report containing specified information
regarding the inspection of intrastate pipelines that
transport hazardous materials.
3)Repeals the requirement that $1 million be transferred
annually from the Public Interest Research, Development, and
Demonstration Fund to the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and
Vehicle Technology Fund.
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4)Authorizes the use of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Administrative
Fund (OGGAF) for the State Air Resources Control Board and
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment for their
activities related to oil and gas operations that may affect
air quality, public health and public safety.
5)Establishes interconnection requirements for certain bioenergy
projects from which generation capacity is procured, as
related to biomass projects.
6) Requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to
report to the Legislature on options to locate operations and
staff outside the commission's San Francisco Headquarters.
7)Requires the CPUC to report on an inventory of agency business
processes.
8)Repeals the sunset that would have ended the requirement that
investor-owned utilities to offer the Green Tariff Shared
Renewable Program to customers. The program will now end when
the 600 megawatt cap of the program is reached.
9)Requests a study from the California Council on Science and
Technology on technical aspects of biomethane related to its
delivery in common carrier pipelines and impacts on end uses
of biomethane.
10)Clarifies that a search warrant is not necessary for the
collection of data related to smart meters.
11)Authorizes a state department or agency to contract for an
energy retrofit program and requires any company performing
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this service use apprenticeable occupations in building and
construction trades.
12)Clarifies that if the CPUC order a continuation of the New
Solar Home Partnership Program and determines that the
California Energy Commission be the third party administrator,
that funds should be made available for this purpose.
FISCAL EFFECT: The bill contains an appropriation of $275,000
to the California Energy Commission for appliance efficiency
standards, compliance assistance, and enforcement.
COMMENTS: This energy trailer bill includes provisions agreed
to as part of the 2106 budget package.
Analysis Prepared by:
Christian Griffith / BUDGET / (916)319-2746 FN:
0003449