BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 913
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Senator S. Joseph Simitian, Chairman
2011-2012 Regular Session
BILL NO: AB 913
AUTHOR: Feuer
AMENDED: June 13, 2011
FISCAL: Yes HEARING DATE: June 20, 2011
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT:
Rachel Machi Wagoner
SUBJECT : HAZARDOUS WASTE: SOURCE REDUCTION: CERTIFIED GREEN
BUSINESS PROGRAM
SUMMARY :
Existing law , under the Hazardous Waste Source Reduction and
Management
Review Act of 1989, requires the Department of Toxic
Substances Control (DTSC) to establish a program for hazardous
waste source reduction, including requiring specified
generators of hazardous waste to maintain certain plans and
reports with regard to hazardous waste reduction practices.
DTSC is required to provide source reduction training and
resources to various regional and local government assistance
programs to identify and apply source reduction methods.
This bill requires DTSC, as part of implementing this program,
to develop a California Green Business Program that provides
for the voluntary certification of businesses that adopt
environmentally preferable business practices, including, but
not limited to, increased energy efficiency, reduced
greenhouse gas emissions, promotion of water conservation, and
reduced waste generation. DTSC would also be required to take
specified actions with regard to implementing the California
Green Business Program.
COMMENTS :
1) Purpose of Bill . The author states that small
businesses are a vital force of California's economy, but
small businesses often do not have the necessary
resources to design and implement best environmental
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practices. Local government-operated Green Business
Certification programs fill in this gap by providing
participating businesses with individualized consultation
on best environmental practices that can save businesses
money while, at the same time, forwarding environmental
protection.
The author contends that green business certification
programs promote efficient state operations by creating
partnerships between small businesses, utility providers,
efficiency upgrade operators, and state, local and
federal regulators and by providing participating
businesses with a comprehensive pathway to achieving and
going beyond compliance with environmental laws and
regulations.
2) California Green Business Program : According to DTSC,
the current Program is a statewide network of local
government programs that certify small businesses as
"green." These local-level agencies coordinate with
other programs in their jurisdictions to assist small
businesses with regulatory compliance and in implementing
multi-media pollution prevention and waste reduction
measures to achieve measureable pollution reductions,
energy savings, water conservation and sustainability.
Businesses certified by this program make changes in
product formulations, recycle waste, and use less water
and energy. DTSC serves as a statewide program contact
and coordinator. DTSC also develops technical guidance
on pollution prevention measures, conducts industry
studies and pilot projects, manages a database used to
register and track measurable pollution reductions and
cost savings, provides policy coordination and assists in
establishing new programs throughout the state.
DTSC's current work efforts focus in three main areas:
a) assisting the network in adapting its guidelines and
structure to facilitate growth and achieve measureable
outcomes; b) support, through staffing and contracts, the
development and maintenance of the database used for
metrics collection and local program support; and, c)
solicit and facilitate the startup of new local programs.
DTSC states that there are currently 14 counties and two
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city-led programs that have certified over 2,600
businesses.
The author asserts that, while a good start, the current
Program is limited in scope and function. He argues,
"Green business programs are severely resource
constrained and barely have enough money to fund their
own programs. There's a bottle-neck of businesses that
are waiting to apply in some municipalities with
programs. Many businesses would like to apply to
programs but are in industries where standards have not
been developed yet. Many municipalities do not have
green business programs and would like to establish them,
but need guidance and do not have adequate staff
resources."
This bill is intended to build upon the current Green
Business Program by promoting standardization; helping
local governments build new programs; and providing
program coordinators with technical guidance on updating
and designing standards.
SOURCE : Assembly Member Feuer
SUPPORT : Accurate Auto Body
Association of Bay Area Governments
Blue Heron Catering
Braver Designs
Breast Cancer Fund
Breathing Room Consulting
California Healthy Nail Collaborative
Brentwood Hand Car Wash
Casa Verde Pediatrics, Inc.
City of Berkeley Vice Mayor Linda Maio
City of Santa Cruz
Clean Water Action
Contra Costa Clean Water Program
County of Monterey Health Department,
Environmental
Health Bureau
County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors
County of Santa Cruz Department of Public
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Works
Draga Design
Ecology Action
Emeryville Chamber of Commerce
Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental and Public Health Consulting
Give Something Back Office Supplies
Green Wheelin' LLC
HMR Associates
ImageX
Lekos Dye and Finishing, Inc.
Orinda Motors, Inc.
Progressive Wealth Management
San Francisco Green Business Program (SF
Department of the
Environment)
Small Business California
Social Ventures Inc.
Stanford Group
Stanford's Restaurant
Sustainable Earth Initiative
Veterinary Medical Specialists & Veterinary
Surgical Associates
Vital Nutrition & Wellness
WinWinWeb, LLC dba Everything Grows
Interior Landscaping
1 Individual
OPPOSITION : None on file