A host of energy bills aimed at promoting renewable technology and energy efficiency advanced June 19 as the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee gave them its imprimatur. The panel also approved a bill to continue a levy on California nuclear power plants that funds state emergency planning in the event of an accident at the facilities. The committee approved AB 292, authored by Assemblymember Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo), to extend fees on the state’s nuclear power plants to fund the work of the Office of Emergency Services in planning for any accident that might occur at the facilities. The bill would extend the fees, due to sunset in 2009, through 2019. Utility operators of the state’s two plants supported the bill. AB 809, authored by Blakeslee, also passed. It allows re-powering projects at large hydro facilities to qualify for credit under the state’s renewable portfolio standard when they enhance generating capacity. It also would allow “in-conduit” projects to qualify. However, projects could not qualify if they use additional water or increase impacts on aquatic life, Blakeslee explained. “It’s about increasing assets the state already has,” said Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), panel chair, urging her colleagues to vote yes on the measure. “That’s critical.” The Sierra Club opposed the move. Dams create 25 percent of the methane emitted to the atmosphere by backing up organic matter in waterways so it rots, said Jim Metropulos, Sierra Club legislative representative. Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Glendale) won approval for his bill, AB 946. It allows solar energy systems to qualify for incentive payments when water agencies install them on property they control that is not adjacent to a water treatment facility. “AB 946 makes more of these agencies able to afford renewable energy,” Krekorian told the Senate panel. Current law allows incentive payments only when the solar panels are installed on the site where the energy is actually used. AB 1103, authored by Assembly member Lori Saldana (D-San Diego), passed the committee. It requires the California Energy Commission to establish a benchmarking system that rates non-residential buildings on energy use. Beginning in 2010, the measure mandates disclosure of the energy ratings at the time buildings are sold or refinanced. The panel also approved AB 1428, authored by Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani (D-Merced). It allows agricultural bio-digester generation facilities to feed the state’s grid on a net metered basis. Net metering for the plants would be capped at 70 MW statewide.
