BILL NUMBER: SB 1153	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 27, 2010
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 5, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hancock

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2010

   An act to add Chapter 6.1 (commencing with Section 25545) to
Division 15 of , and to repeal Section   25545.3 of,
 the Public Resources Code, relating to energy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1153, as amended, Hancock. Energy: sustainable energy zone.
   Existing law authorizes the State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission (Energy Commission) to designate
transmission corridors and establishes various procedures for the
designation.
   This bill would authorize the Energy Commission to designate an
area as a sustainable energy zone suitable for the construction or
operation of renewable energy projects, as defined, and would require
the Energy Commission to identify zones where projects can be built
that are consistent with the strategic plan for the state's electric
transmission grid. The bill would require the Energy Commission, by
January 1, 2012, to report to the Legislature regarding the
designation of sustainable energy zones.
   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.  Chapter 6.1 (commencing with Section 25545) is added to
Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 6.1.  SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ZONES


   25545.  For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms mean
the following:
   (a) "Renewable energy project" means a project for the 
construction of a solar nonthermal, wind, or other renewable energy
nonthermal powerplant with a generating capacity equal to or more
than 50 megawatts, or transmission lines connecting these powerplants
to the interconnected electrical transmission grid.  
construction of an electric generating facility meeting the
definition of an eligible renewable resource set forth in Section
399.12 of the Public Utilities Code. 
   (b) "Sustainable energy zone" means a geographically defined area
that is environmentally and economically suitable for the
construction and operation of one or more types of renewable energy
projects taking into account economic, environmental, legal, social,
agricultural, and technological factors, including, the achievement
of the state's renewable energy goals and goals of the California
Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 35.5 (commencing with
Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).
   25545.1.  (a) The commission may designate a sustainable energy
zone to expedite renewable energy development.
   (b) The commission may contract for needed biologists to collect
data on land proposed to be designated as a sustainable energy zone.
   25545.2.  (a) In designating a sustainable energy zone, the
commission shall identify zones where one or more future renewable
energy projects can be built that are consistent with the state's
needs and objectives as set forth in the strategic plan adopted
pursuant to Section 25324.
   (b)  The   Notwithstanding any other law, the
 designation of a sustainable energy zone is subject to
 the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13
(commencing with Section 21000)). The commission shall be the lead
agency, as provided in Section 21165, for all sustainable energy
zones proposed for designation pursuant to this chapter. 
 the environmental review required pursuant to Chapter 6
(commencing with Section 25500). 
   25545.3.  (a) By January 1, 2012, the commission shall report to
the Legislature regarding the designation of sustainable energy
zones.
   (b) (1) A report submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be
submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
   (2) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this
section is repealed on January 1, 2016.