BILL NUMBER: SB 626	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 26, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Kehoe

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section 740.2 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to electrical infrastructure.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 626, as amended, Kehoe. Electrical infrastructure: plug-in
hybrid and electric vehicles.
   Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has
regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical
corporations and gas corporations, as defined. Existing law requires
the PUC, in cooperation with the State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission (Energy Commission), the State Air
Resources Board (state board), air quality management districts and
air pollution control districts, electrical and gas corporations, and
the motor vehicle industry, to evaluate and implement policies to
promote the development of equipment and infrastructure needed to
facilitate the use of electric power and natural gas to fuel
low-emission vehicles. The PUC is required to ensure that the costs
and expenses of any authorized programs are not passed through to
electric or gas ratepayers unless the commission finds and determines
that those programs are in the ratepayers' interest. Existing law
requires the PUC to provide a progress report to the Legislature on
its efforts to evaluate and implement the policies for the
above-described purposes by January 30, 1993, and every 2 years
thereafter.
   This bill would require the PUC, in consultation with the Energy
Commission, the state board, electrical corporations, and the motor
vehicle industry, to evaluate  and implement 
policies to develop infrastructure sufficient to overcome any
barriers to the widespread deployment and use of plug-in hybrid and
electric vehicles and, by January 1, 2011, to adopt rules that
address specified matter.
   Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any
order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the
commission is a crime.
   Because the provisions of this bill are within the act and require
action by the commission to implement its requirements, a violation
of these provisions would impose a state-mandated local program by
creating a new crime.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 740.2 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   740.2.  The commission, in consultation with the Energy
Commission, State Air Resources Board, electrical corporations, and
the motor vehicle industry, shall evaluate  and implement
 policies to develop infrastructure sufficient to overcome
any barriers to the widespread deployment and use of plug-in hybrid
and electric vehicles. By January 1, 2011, the commission shall adopt
rules to address all of the following:
   (a) The impacts upon electrical infrastructure, including
infrastructure upgrades necessary for widespread use of plug-in
hybrid and electric vehicles, the role and development of public
 charging infrastructure, and whether incentives are
necessary to promote infrastructure development.  
charging infrastructure. 
   (b) The impact of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles on grid
stability and the integration of renewable energy resources. 

   (c) Whether incentives are necessary or desirable to promote use
of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, including if incentives are
necessary to help ensure that low-income Californians have the
ability to acquire and use plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.
 
   (d) 
    (c)  The technological advances that are needed to
ensure the widespread use of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles and
what role the state should take to support the development of this
technology. 
   (e) 
    (d)  The existing code and permit requirements that will
impact the widespread use of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles
and any recommended changes to existing legal impediments to the
widespread use of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. 
   (f) 
    (e)  The role the state should take to ensure that
technologies employed in plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles work in
a harmonious manner and across service territories. 
   (g) 
    (f)  The impact of widespread use of plug-in hybrid and
electric vehicles on achieving the state's goals pursuant to the
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 and renewables
portfolio standard program and what steps should be taken to address
possibly shifting emissions reductions responsibilities from the
transportation sector to the electrical industry.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.