BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 277
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 4, 2011

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                   AB 277 (Galgiani) - As Amended:  April 7, 2011 

          Policy Committee:                              
          UtilitiesVote:10-2

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program: 
          No     Reimbursable:               

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the California Research Bureau (CRB), in 
          consultation with other entities, to develop an energy 
          consumption profile, with specified elements, for the state's 
          high-speed rail system. Specifically, this bill:

          1)Requires the CRB to consult with the High-Speed Rail Authority 
            (HSRA), the Federal Railroad Administration, the Public 
            Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, and 
            United States Department of Energy, and the Legislative 
            Analyst's Office.

          2)Requires the report to include recommendations for identifying 
            a carbon-free baseload power supply to be available when the 
            high-speed rail system commences operation.

          3)Requires the CRB to report its findings by May 1, 2012.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          The CRB, lacking staff expertise in this subject area, will have 
          to contract for this study and report.  Given the scope of the 
          report and the short timeframe for completion, the one-time 
          General Fund cost would be at least $250,000. 

           COMMENTS  

           Purpose  . According to the author, "the development of 
          California's high-speed rail system is key as we move forward to 
          becoming a greener state.  Equally important and conducive to 
          our green agenda, is our ability to understand and prepare for 








                                                                  AB 277
                                                                  Page  2

          the most efficient and effective means in powering all aspects 
          of high-speed rail.  With proper planning, we can avoid the 
          energy crisis that took place in 2001."

          Current studies conducted by the Authority indicate that the 
          high-speed rail train will use approximately 3,380 GWh per year 
          by 2030. However, this estimate does not include all aspects of 
          the system such as the signaling system, radio network, truck 
          intrusion protection equipment, telecommunications, heavy 
          maintenance facilities, electrical needs for passenger services 
          on high-speed rail.  

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081