BILL NUMBER: AB 1030	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Blumenfield

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section 14017 to the Government Code, relating to
renewable energy systems.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1030, as introduced, Blumenfield. Renewable energy systems:
Department of Transportation.
   Existing law provides for the Department of Transportation in the
Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, which is administered by
the Director of Transportation. Existing law requires the director
to perform all duties, exercise all powers and jurisdiction, assume
and discharge all responsibilities, and carry out and effect all
purposes vested by law in the department, except as otherwise
expressly provided by law.
   This bill would require the director, on and after May 1, 2010, to
compile and maintain an inventory list of state-owned real property
under the direction or control of the Department of Transportation
that may be available for lease for the installation and operation of
solar, wind, piezoelectric, or other renewable energy systems for
power generation. The bill would require the director to consult with
the California Energy Commission in developing criteria for property
to be placed on the inventory list, as specified.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Solar energy is one of California's most abundant renewable
resources that can help reduce demand in the state for electricity
during peak consumption periods.
   (b) Renewable energy promotes economic development and provides
opportunities to stimulate the creation of jobs for Californians.
   (c) Accelerating the use of renewable energy resources wherever
feasible, such as open space along transportation corridors, can help
to achieve the state's climate change goals required by the
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5
(commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).
   (d) Aesthetically integrated solar and other renewable energy
systems on the more than 150 miles of highway sound walls already
built and potentially more associated with new transportation
projects are untapped resources that could be put to beneficial uses
in generating electricity for neighboring residential areas, reducing
energy costs to government, and promoting the installation of
additional sound walls for neighborhoods.
   (e) Unlike most transportation capital outlays that result in
increased maintenance costs, investments in renewable energy
production and promoting public-private partnerships to use untapped
sound walls and other transit property would generate revenues that
could be used to offset maintenance costs.
  SEC. 2.  Section 14017 is added to the Government Code, to read:
   14017.  (a) The director shall compile and maintain an inventory
list of state-owned real property under the direction or control of
the department that may be available for lease for the installation
and operation of solar, wind, piezoelectric, or other renewable
energy systems for power generation. This list shall be the sole list
for the department's property available for this purpose.
   (b) The director shall make the inventory list available, upon
request, in a cost-effective manner.
   (c) The director shall consult with the California Energy
Commission to develop criteria for property to be placed on the
inventory list. State-owned real property to be considered shall
include, but not be limited to, department maintenance yards,
rooftops, freeway sound barriers, and highway rights-of-way.
   (d) This section shall become operative on May 1, 2010.