BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 850
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 18, 2011

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                    AB 850 (Gordon) - As Amended:  April 14, 2011 

          Policy Committee:                              Natural 
          ResourcesVote:9-0
                        Business, Professions and Consumer Protection9-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program: 
          No     Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill reverses the roles played by the California Energy 
          Commission (CEC) and the Department of General Services (DGS) in 
          developing the state's multiyear plan to encourage energy 
          efficiency in state facilities.  Specifically, the bill places 
          the CEC in charge of developing the plan and requires it to do 
          so in consultation with DGS.  The bill also adds water 
          conservation to the plan's goals and requires CEC to solicit 
          input from both public and private entities.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          1)Unknown though likely minor costs, no more than $200,000, to 
            CEC to take over the lead roll in developing the energy 
            efficiency and water conservation plan for state facilities.  
            (Energy Resources Programs Account (ERPA).)

          2)Ongoing annual costs to CEC in the ten thousands of dollars, 
            to lead development and update of plan.  (ERPA.)

          3)Likely savings to DGS of an amount similar to the costs 
            realized by CEC.  (Special fund.)

           COMMENTS 

           1)Rationale.   The author contends it appropriate to have state 
            government's experts on energy efficiency in charge of the 
            state's plan to encourage energy efficiency in state 
            buildings.  The author also contends water conservation in 
            state buildings should be included in the energy efficiency 








                                                                  AB 850
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            plan.

           1)Background.   Current law requires DGS, in consultation with 
            the CEC, to develop a multi-year plan, to be updated 
            biennially, to exploit all practicable and cost-effective 
            energy efficiency measures in state facilities.

           1)Support.   This bill is supported by East Bay Municipal Utility 
            District. 

           2)Opposition.   There is no formal opposition registered to this 
            bill.

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081