BILL NUMBER: AB 234	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 14, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Huffman

                        FEBRUARY 5, 2009

   An act  to add Chapter 5.6 (commencing with Section 25460) to
Division 15 of the Public Resources Code,   relating to energy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 234, as amended, Huffman. Energy:  water use and energy
 efficiency  projects: federal stimulus funds  .
   Existing law establishes various programs to provide financial
assistance to public and private entities to improve their energy
efficiency.
   This bill would  state the intent of the Legislature to
enact legislation to develop an implementation plan for distributing
federal economic stimulus dollars for energy efficiency projects and
programs to help facilitate the state's economic recovery while
making investments in the state's environment and improving the
quality of life of the people of the state.   require
the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission,
as a part of the implementation of funding received pursuant to the
federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to coordinate
with the State Water Resources Control Board   and local
water suppliers on the planning and implementation of energy
efficiency actions that can also result in water use savings. The
bill would require that water and energy conservation programs and
projects   proceed only to the extent they do no impair the
commission's ability to meet the federal deadlines for expenditure of
federal stimulus funds provided by the act. 
   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.    Chapter 5.6 (commencing with Section
25460) is added to Division 15 of the   Public Resources
Code   , to read:  
      CHAPTER 5.6.  WATER USE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY ASSISTANCE


   25460.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
   (a) The commission is expected to receive hundreds of millions of
dollars from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (Public Law 111-5) for energy related activities including
energy efficiency programs and projects.
   (b) Water use requires significant amounts of energy.
Approximately one-fifth of the electricity and one-third of the
nonpower plant natural gas consumed in the state are associated with
water delivery, treatment, and use.
   (c) Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced if we move, treat, and
use water more efficiently.
   (d) The Public Utilities Commission and the commission have
researched the energy saving potential associated with water use
efficiency programs and with water management changes. Those studies
can inform the administration and the Legislature on how state
agencies can partner and cost share, and how local water suppliers
funding can be leveraged to maximize water and energy efficiency.
   25460.5.  For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms
have the following meaning:
   (a) "Board" means the State Water Resources Control Board.
   (b) "Federal act" means the federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).
   (c) "Water supplier" means a local public agency or private
company supplying or storing water, or a mutual water company.
   25461.  (a) As part of the implementation of the funding received
by the commission under the federal act, the commission shall
coordinate with the board and local water suppliers on the planning
and implementation of energy efficiency actions that can also result
in water use savings. Coordination can include, but is not limited
to, sharing information on areas to target, prioritizing actions, and
coordinating implementation and cost sharing.
   (b) As a part of the guidelines otherwise developed by the
commission for administering energy and water efficiency actions
funded under the federal act, the commission, in consultation with
the board, shall establish criteria and priorities for partnering on
programs and projects that have both water and energy efficiency
benefits.
   (c) Water use efficiency programs and projects that provide
sufficient energy savings to justify being funded under the federal
act from moneys allocated to the commission shall be eligible to
receive that funding.
   (d) Water use efficiency programs and projects may also be funded
under the federal act from moneys allocated to the board, and moneys
from local water agencies.
   (e) Water and energy conservation programs and projects shall
proceed only to the extent they do not impair the commission's
ability to meet the federal deadlines for expenditure of stimulus
funds from the federal act.  
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation to develop an implementation plan for
distributing federal economic stimulus dollars for energy efficiency
projects and programs, including energy efficiency improvements such
as weatherization assistance, residential and commercial energy
retrofits, and efficient appliance deployment, to help facilitate the
state's economic recovery while making investments in the state's
environment and improving the quality of life of the people of the
state.