BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1214
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1214 (Skinner)
As Amended May 27, 2011
Majority vote
UTILITIES & COMMERCE 14-0
APPROPRIATIONS 12-0
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|Ayes:|Bradford, Fletcher, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Blumenfield, |
| |Buchanan, Fong, Fuentes, | |Bradford, Charles |
| |Achadjian, | |Calderon, Campos, Davis, |
| |Roger Hern�ndez, Huffman, | |Gatto, Hall, Hill, Lara, |
| |Knight, Ma, Nestande, | |Mitchell, Solorio |
| |Skinner, Swanson, Valadao | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the
Independent System Operator (CAISO) to coordinate the planning
and approval of transmission facilities serving renewable
generation that will be built in order to meet the state's
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal of 33% by 2020.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires the PUC and CAISO to review all new and upgraded
transmission facilities identified in the CAISO'S planning
process as being facilities serving renewable development
areas, and to publish a report, by March 31, 2012, identifying
these new or upgraded transmission facilities that can be
placed in service by December 31, 2016, in order to take
maximum advantage of available federal investment tax credits.
2)Requires the report to include timeframes for obtaining
government approvals, construction, and placing each
transmission project into service, and an analysis to any
barriers in meeting these milestones and means to eliminate
those barriers.
3)Requires the PUC and CAISO to:
a) Coordinate the CAISO'S transmission planning process
with PUC's issuance of certificates for transmission
facilities; and,
AB 1214
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b) Evaluate alternatives for building and upgrading
transmission facilities that may enhance achievement of the
state's RPS and AB 32 (Nunez), Chapter 488, Statutes of
2006, goals.
FISCAL EFFECT : Annual special fund costs of $100,000 for one
position for at least two years, regarding enhanced transmission
planning and coordination with the CAISO.
COMMENTS : PUC has constitutional authority to fix rates,
establish rules, examine records, issue subpoenas, administer
oaths, take testimony, punish for contempt, and prescribe a
uniform system of accounts for California investor owned
utilities. In addition, PUC provides a program to provide
reasonable compensation to interveners to assist public
participation in PUC proceedings. PUC is funded by ratepayers.
CAISO is a non-profit public benefit corporation that has
statutory requirements to manage the state's electricity grid
and consult and coordinate with state and local agencies. CAISO
must meet the state's open meeting requirements and comply with
the California Public Records Act. CAISO is funded generally
through grid and transmission management charges. CAISO,
through its transmission planning process, identifies those
facilities necessary to interconnect renewable generators to,
and deliver renewable power on, the CAISO-controlled grid.
AB 1214 (Skinner) is intended to promote the timely construction
of those transmission facilities necessary to interconnect
renewable generation in order to meet the state's RPS goal of
33% by 2020.
Analysis Prepared by : Sue Kateley / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083
FN: 0001090