BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair
2614 (J. Perez)
Hearing Date: 08/12/2010 Amended: 07/15/2010
Consultant: Brendan McCarthy Policy Vote: EU&C 10-0
AB 2614 (J. Perez), Page 2
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BILL SUMMARY: AB 2614 directs the Energy Commission to develop
programs to implement a proposed federal law that will provide
funding to the states for energy efficiency projects.
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Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Fund
Energy Commission $5,750 $1,500 $1,500 Federal
implementation
Public Utilities Commission $100 $100
$100Federal
coordination
Dept. of Community Services $200 $200
$200Federal
and Development coordination
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STAFF COMMENTS: SUSPENSE FILE.
The United States Congress is considering a bill, the Home Star
Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, to provide funds to the states for
energy efficiency rebates and loans. The most recent version of
the federal act includes about $6 billion in total funding and
allows up to 3.6 percent of the grant amount provided to a state
to be used for administrative costs. States that receive funding
under the federal act would be required to submit plans to the
Department of Energy to implement quality assurance programs to
ensure that funds were spent in keeping with federal
requirements.
AB 2614 requires the Energy Commission, upon enactment of the
federal act, to develop programs that are required by and
complement the federal act. The Energy Commission is required to
develop a quality assurance program, ensure that a qualified
pool of professionals is available to staff the quality
assurance program, ensure that the required quality assurance
work is performed, and develop financing options for the federal
funds.
AB 2614 (J. Perez), Page 2
In cooperation with the Public Utilities Commission and the
Department of Community Services and Development, the Energy
Commission is required to streamline procedures for low income
homeowners to receive funding for energy efficiency retrofits
and implement outreach programs to homeowners. In coordination
with the Green Collar Jobs Council, the Energy Commission is
required to ensure that the Council's policies are complementary
of the federal program.
The bill authorizes the Energy Commission to adopt guidelines to
implement the federal act and related programs and exempts
guideline development from the Administrative Procedures Act
(beginning at Section 11340 of the Government Code).
The Energy Commission indicates that it will need about fifteen
new staff positions and $3 to $5 million in contract funds to
set up and implement the programs required under the bill and
the proposed federal act.
The Public Utilities Commission indicates that it will need one
additional staff position and the Department of Community
Services and Development indicates that it will need two
additional staff positions to coordinate with the Energy
Commission, as required under the bill.