Amended in Assembly March 28, 2014

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 1763

Introduced by Assembly Member Perea

February 14, 2014

An act to begin delete amend Section 25301 end delete begin insert add and repeal Section 25303.6 end insert of the Public Resources Code, relating to energy.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 1763, as amended, Perea. begin delete Energy: assessments and forecasts. end delete begin insert State energy plan for 2030 and 2050. end insert

Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, at least every begin delete two end delete begin insert 2 end insert years, to conduct assessments and forecasts of all aspects of energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery, distribution, demand, and prices.

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This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to the above provision.

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This bill would require the commission, in consultation with the Independent System Operator, other relevant state and local agencies, and interested stakeholders, in an open and public process, to develop and submit to the Governor and the Legislature, by January 1, 2016, a report containing a state energy plan for 2030 and 2050 that promotes economic growth, ensures reliable and affordable energy supplies, and positions the state as a leader in the United States and world energy markets. For these purposes, “energy” is defined to mean electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuels that are used for powering homes, businesses, motor vehicles, and aircraft in the state.

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Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  begin delete no end delete begin insert yes end insert . State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

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begin insert SECTION 1. end insert   

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begin insert The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following: end insert

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(a) California is the most populous state in the nation and the
eighth largest economy in the world.

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(b) It is in the interest of California and its citizens to ensure
that an adequate and reliable supply of energy be available for
the benefit of residents and commerce.

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(c) California continues to lead the nation in designing and
implementing innovative policies and strategies to use energy more
efficiently, replace use of fossil fuels with renewable energy
resources, and develop the electrical infrastructure needed to
deliver safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to consumers and
businesses throughout the state.

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(d) California must adopt and implement an energy plan that
assures its electricity and transportation fuel needs will be met in
2030 and 2050.

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(e) It is important to make sure that the infrastructure needed
to generate and deliver adequate electricity and natural gas is in
place.

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(f) Movement of people and goods by vehicles, rail, airplanes,
and other transportation modes accounts for about 40 percent of
all energy consumed within the state. The transportation sector is
a major user of energy and is essential to California’s economy.

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(g) Although gasoline consumption continues to decrease, the
state’s population continues to grow, and the penetration of
alternative vehicles and fuels remains relatively low.

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(h) State law charges the State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission with the responsibility of conducting
energy forecasting and assessment activities, including assessments
of the opportunities and risks relative to the delivery of electricity
and transportation fuels to consumers and the associated impact
of these opportunities and risks on the state’s economy.

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(i) Under state law, these energy forecasts and assessments are
included in the biennial integrated energy policy report adopted
by the commission. For the purposes of ensuring consistency in
the underlying information that forms the foundation of energy
policies and decisions affecting the state, existing law requires the
State Air Resources Board and other state agencies to carry out
their energy-related duties and responsibilities based upon the
information and analyses contained in the report.

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begin insert SEC. 2. end insert   

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begin insert Section 25303.6 is added to the end insert begin insert Public Resources Code end insert begin insert ,
to read: end insert

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begin insert 25303.6. end insert   

(a) For the purposes of this section, “energy” means
electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuels that are used for
powering homes, businesses, motor vehicles, and aircraft in the
state.

(b) On or before January 1, 2016, the commission, in
consultation with the Independent System Operator, other relevant
state and local agencies, and interested stakeholders, in an open
and public process, shall develop and submit to the Governor and
the Legislature a report containing a state energy plan for 2030
and 2050 that promotes economic growth, ensures reliable and
affordable energy supplies, and positions the state as a leader in
the United States and world energy markets.

(c) In developing the state energy plan, the commission shall
consider all of the following:

(1) Energy forecasts based upon California’s current and future
energy supply mix forecast to 2030 and 2050.

(2) An analysis of California’s energy infrastructure needs,
including a review of current infrastructure and new infrastructure
needed for an evolving supply mix forecast to 2030 and 2050.

(3) Recommendations on ensuring long-term energy supply
reliability and affordability through 2030 and 2050.

(d) The report submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) is intended
to assist in establishing state policy and does not independently
change any statute, regulation, or regulatory decision.

(e) The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section
9795 of the Government Code.

(f) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this
section is repealed on January 1, 2020.

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SECTION 1.  

Section 25301 of the Public Resources Code is
amended to read:

25301.  

(a) At least every other year, the commission shall
conduct assessments and forecasts of all aspects of energy industry
supply, production, transportation, delivery and distribution,
demand, and prices. The commission shall use these assessments
and forecasts to develop energy policies that conserve resources,
protect the environment, ensure energy reliability, enhance the
state’s economy, and protect public health and safety. To perform
these assessments and forecasts, the commission may require
submission of demand forecasts, resource plans, market
assessments, and related outlooks from electric and natural gas
utilities, transportation fuel and technology suppliers, and other
market participants. These assessments and forecasts shall be done
in consultation with the appropriate state and federal agencies
including, but not limited to, the Public Utilities Commission, the
Office of Ratepayer Advocates, the State Air Resources Board,
the Electricity Oversight Board, the Independent System Operator,
the Department of Water Resources, the California Consumer
Power and Conservation Financing Authority, the Department of
Transportation, and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(b) In developing the assessments and forecasts prepared
pursuant to subdivision (a), the commission shall do all of the
following:

(1) Provide information about the performance of energy
industries.

(2) Develop and maintain the analytical capability sufficient to
answer inquiries about energy issues from government, market
participants, and the public.

(3) Analyze and develop energy policies.

(4) Provide an analytical foundation for regulatory and policy
decisionmaking.

(5) Facilitate efficient and reliable energy markets.

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