A raft of energy bills were supposed to be moving through the Legislature in respective appropriations committees, but all were put off this week. The Legislature has until the end of the month to act on energy bills with financial impacts. The bills on hold are: AB 118--This bill by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) creates the Alternative and Renewable Fuel, Vehicle Technology, Carbon Reduction, and Clean Air Program to develop technologies for lower-carbon vehicles. The California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board would coordinate the program as well as collaborate on alternative fuels’ air quality impacts. AB 527--By Assemblymember Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) requires the Department of General Services, along with the Energy Commission, to include new efficiency technology in state-owned buildings. It also creates the California Energy Efficient Technology Pooled Investment Fund for backing such investments. According to Torrico’s office, the bill was amended to address fiscal concerns. AB 785--By Assemblymember Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) would regulate contractors’ implementation of energy efficiency measures and fine those who do not comply. AB 1470--By Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) establishes a $250 million subsidy program funded by higher natural gas rates to encourage installation of solar water heating systems. Its goal is to get 200,000 solar water systems installed by 2017. SB 140--By Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) requires at least 2 percent of diesel fuel sold to contain renewable fuel stock. It also has the Energy Commission set specifications for biodiesel. SB 210--Another Kehoe bill sets standards for greenhouse gas emissions and reformulated gasoline (see below). SB 412--A two-year bill by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), requires the Energy Commission to conduct a liquefied natural gas needs assessment study to decide whether natural gas supplies can meet projected demand without importing LNG. SB 451--This Kehoe bill expands utilities’ purchase of renewable electricity produced by a public water or wastewater agency to include renewable electricity produced by any utility customer. SB 980--By Senator Alex Padilla (D-Van Nuys), requires the CEC to evaluate the adequacy of the electricity distribution system for the 10 largest local publicly owned utilities.