BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2614
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Date of Hearing: May 19, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2614 (John A. Perez) - As Amended: May 13, 2010
Policy Committee:
UtilitiesVote:15-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to
undertake several activities upon enactment of pending federal
legislation regarding energy efficiency. Specifically, this
bill:
1) Directs the CEC, upon enactment of the federal Home Star
Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, to develop programs required
to complement the Act by establishing a quality assurance
program, thus ensuring a qualified pool of home energy
inspectors are available to perform energy audits, and that
the requisite audits are performed and various financing
options are developed.
2) Directs the CEC to:
a) Work with the Department of Community Services and
Development and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to
streamline procedures for low-income homeowners eligible
under the federal program.
b) Work with the PUC and the investor-owned utilities
(IOUs) to coordinate program implementation and provide
proper outreach to consumers.
c) Coordinate with the Green Collar Jobs Council to ensure
the Council's programs complement the Home Star program to
the greatest extent possible.
FISCAL EFFECT
AB 2614
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The CEC would likely need several staff positions to implement
the Home Star Act. Per the current provisions of the pending
federal legislation, 3.6% of the grant amount to states would be
available for administrative and related costs.
COMMENTS
Purpose . According to the author, the purpose of this bill is to
have California ready to implement a new program as soon as the
federal government approves the financing. On May 5, the Home
Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 passed the House of
Representatives, and has since been referred to a Senate
Committee. The bill would establish the Home Star Retrofit
Program, and authorize $6.6 billion in federal funding to
provide rebates to homeowners who retrofit their homes to
achieve energy savings.
Two levels of rebates are proposed: (1) a Silver Star retrofit
program would award rebates of up to $1,500 per home during the
first year after enactment, for retrofit work that installs
specified energy saving measures, including air-sealing and
insulation measures, duct seal or replacement, window or door
replacement, heating or cooling system replacement, and water
heater replacement; and (2) a Gold Star retrofit program to
award rebates of up to $8,000 per home for retrofit work that
achieves whole home energy savings.
States that receive funding under the Act must submit to the
U.S. Secretary of Energy plans to implement quality assurance
programs that cover the residential energy efficiency retrofit
work. In addition, the Secretary is to establish a Home Star
Energy Efficiency Loan Program, to make funds available to
states to support financial assistance provided by qualified
financing entities for energy saving measures under the Silver
Star or Gold Star programs.
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081