BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1030
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 27, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Mike Eng, Chair
AB 1030 (Blumenfield) - As Introduced: February 27, 2009
SUBJECT : Property inventory: renewable energy
SUMMARY : Requires the Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
to develop an inventory of its property that could host
renewable energy facilities. Specifically, this bill :
1)Makes findings and declarations regarding the value of solar
and other renewable energy sources, the need to use these
resources wherever feasible, such as open space along
transportation corridors, to help to achieve the state's
climate change goals and the possibility of using
public-private partnerships to use untapped sound walls and
other transit property to generate revenues that could be used
to offset maintenance costs.
2)Requires Caltrans to compile and maintain an inventory list of
state-owned real property under its direction or control that
may be available for lease for the installation and operation
of solar, wind, piezoelectric, or other renewable energy
systems for power generation.
3)Requires this inventory to be the sole list for Caltrans'
property available for this purpose.
4)Requires Caltrans to make the inventory list available, upon
request, in a cost-effective manner.
5)Requires Caltrans to consult with the California Energy
Commission to develop criteria for property to be placed on
the inventory list.
6)Requires the property to be considered to include, but not be
limited to, Caltrans maintenance yards, rooftops, freeway
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sound barriers, and highway rights-of-way.
7)Provides that these provisions will become operative on May 1,
2010.
EXISTING LAW : Authorizes Caltrans to purchase and maintain
property for the purpose of constructing and operating
transportation facilities.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : The author contends that much of Caltrans' property -
roadways, soundwalls, real estate, etc., has the potential to
host renewable energy facilities and that the development and
maintenance of an inventory of such assets would "allow
promising renewable energy opportunities and new ventures to be
developed and pursued." He cites the example of the state of
Oregon, where solar generators are being incorporated into
soundwalls, and Great Britain, which is reportedly using
piezoelectric crystals in its roadbeds to generate electricity
when vehicles drive over them.
While the use of state property to generate clean, renewable
energy is clearly a meritorious venture, one might question the
cost-effectiveness of requiring Caltrans to develop an inventory
of available properties. First, Caltrans is not necessarily
expert enough in energy applications to know which of its
parcels are appropriate for energy development and which are
not. Secondly, Caltrans owns and operates 15,000 centerline
miles of freeways and highways, as well as numerous maintenance
stations, equipment shops, and office buildings. Inventorying
and analyzing the possible energy project potential of such vast
holdings would likely be a very labor-intensive and expensive
exercise. Finally, in most instances where a developer is
considering the construction of an energy facility within a
Caltrans right of way, the developer can simply approach
Caltrans to see if the targeted parcel is available. The
developer will certainly be more adept than Caltrans at
identifying parcels with potential for cost-effective energy
generation. The existence of an inventory would seem only to
marginally expedite that process.
Suggested committee amendment : In order to facilitate the
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siting of renewable energy projects on Caltrans property, the
bill should be amended to require Caltrans to respond within 30
days to any proposal to develop such a project within its
facilities with a determination as to whether the property in
question is available for sale, lease, or encroachment permit
and whether the project is compatible with the current and
projected uses of Caltrans' surrounding assets.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Union of Concerned Scientists
Opposition
None received
Analysis Prepared by : Howard Posner / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093