BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  AB 1150
                                                                  Page  1

          CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
          AB 1150 (V. Manuel Pérez)
          As Amended  September 8, 2011
          Majority vote
           
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          |ASSEMBLY:  |52-19|(June 2, 2011)  |SENATE: |30-6 |(September 9,  |
          |           |     |                |        |     |2011)          |
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           Original Committee Reference:    U. & C.  

           SUMMARY  :  Extends the sunset on the Public Utility Commission's 
          (PUC's) Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP).  Specifically, 
          this bill extends through 2014 the PUC's authority to collect 
          $83 million annually from ratepayers for SGIP program.
           
           The Senate amendments  delete the Assembly version of this bill, 
          and instead extends through 2014, PUC's authority to collect $83 
          million annually from ratepayers for SGIP program.

           AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY  , this bill was substantially similar 
          to the version passed by the Senate.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  According to the Assembly Appropriations 
          Committee, minor absorbable costs to PUC.

           COMMENTS  :  According to the author of the bill, "AB 1150 will 
          permit the extension of a vital program for incentivizing the 
          development of distributive on-site renewable energy facilities. 
          These are needed to meet increasing statewide demand for 
          electricity, to reduce peak demand pressures on the grid and 
          help meet California public policy goals of reducing greenhouse 
          gas emissions and increase the supply of clean renewable 
          energy."

           BACKGROUND  :  PUC established the SGIP in 2001, pursuant to 
          energy crisis legislation, AB 970 (Ducheny, Battin and Keeley), 
          Chapter 329, Statutes of 2000, to offer incentives for renewable 
          and "super clean" distributed generation resources.  SGIP has 
          been extended and/or modified by at least five bills since then. 
           Over the last 10 years, SGIP has offered rebates for 
          installation of solar photovoltaic (solar electric), wind, fuel 
          cell, and, until 2008, certain renewable and fossil fuel 
          combustion resources meeting specified emissions and efficiency 








                                                                  AB 1150
                                                                  Page  2

          standards.  As of late 2010, SGIP had committed $865 million for 
          1,489 projects totaling 437 megawatts (MW) capacity.  In 2006, 
          when PUC adopted the California Solar Initiative, which 
          established a rebate program for photovoltaic technologies, 
          photovoltaic technologies were severed from SGIP and annual 
          funding for the program was reduced from $125 million to $83 
          million since 2007.  SGIP provides upfront payments, varying by 
          the particular technology, to offset the cost of capital 
          investment.
           
           The program is funded by a charge on all ratepayers (CARE 
          customers are excluded) which is reflected in the distribution 
          charges paid in each billing.  This costs the ratepayer less 
          than $5 dollars per year.
           
           SB 412 (Kehoe), Chapter 182, Statutes of 2009, extends SGIP 
          sunset date through January 1, 2016, limits funding to $83 
          million annually through 2011, and expands the eligible 
          resources to include all self-generation technologies that PUC 
          determines will support the state's goals for the reduction of 
          emissions of greenhouse gases and that meet specified efficiency 
          standards.  PUC is in the process of implementing SB 412 
          (Kehoe), and last month released a staff proposal outlining 
          program eligibility and rebate levels.
           

          Analysis Prepared by  :    Sue Kateley / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083  




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