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In a move that would prevent utilities from monopolizing subsidies under the Million Solar Roofs measure, the Assembly Appropriations Committee approved an amended SB 1 August 25. The committee also passed two other key energy bills to increase use of renewable energy and to rank liquefied natural gas plant proposals. The measures now go to the Assembly floor. The panel approved SB 1. The measure, authored by Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles), was formerly bipartisan. Co-author John Campbell (R-Irvine) removed his name. One key amendment would limit each investor-owned utility to installing no more than 100 MW of solar capacity with funding provided under the Million Solar Roofs program. That would, in essence, prevent utilities from developing huge solar plants-probably using solar thermal generation-and from taking over the market in distributed photovoltaic generation. Another amendment would allow contractors with specialized C-46 solar contractor licenses issued before September 1, 2005, to install solar panels. Originally, the bill would have let only full electrical contracts with C-10 licenses install panels. The amendment widens the field for installers. The bill also was changed to require that workers who install panels under the program on nonresidential buildings be paid the prevailing wage. Other amendments clarify how existing solar incentive funds would be rolled into the new Million Solar Roofs program and lower the cap on net metering, said Assemblymember Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), committee chair. The Appropriations Committee also sent to the Assembly floor SB 107, introduced by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). That bill advances the date for achieving the state's 20 percent renewables portfolio standard from 2017 to 2010. The bill was amended to allow utilities to fall short of the target if there was insufficient transmission to bring renewable power into their service territories. In other action, the panel approved SB 426, also by Simitian. As amended before committee approval, the bill would no longer require the California Energy Commission to perform an assessment of the state's need for liquefied natural gas but would require it only to rank-order LNG import terminal proposals on the basis of criteria determined by the commission in consultation with interested parties. The governor would have to recommend denial of any offshore LNG terminal under the Deepwater Port Act unless it is ranked number one or two by the CEC. Also, the State Lands Commission would have to approve permits for onshore terminals according to their CEC ranking. The panel held SB 769, also introduced by Simitian. It could target energy-efficiency program funds for the purchase of energy-efficient refrigerators in low-income housing. The measure now becomes a two-year bill and will be taken up by lawmakers in 2006, Chu said. Meanwhile, the Appropriations Committee acted on key energy bills. The panel on Tuesday approved AB 380, a bill that would require the California Public Utilities Commission, in concert with the California Independent System Operator, to establish resource-adequacy requirements for all load-serving entities. The measure, introduced by speaker of the Assembly Fabian N??ez (D-Los Angeles), now goes to the Senate floor. Appropriations also approved AB 736, introduced by Assemblymember Jerome Horton (D-Inglewood), which would allow utilities to sell any property worth $5 million or less by filing an advice letter with the CPUC. Under current law, the commission must approve such sales. The bill has gone to the Senate floor. In other action, the Senate panel also approved AB 1383, introduced by Assemblymember Fran Pavley (D-Woodland Hills). It would create a revolving loan fund to finance installations of solar systems on low-income housing, subject to appropriations by the Legislature upon recommendation of the CEC. The bill could be taken up on the floor as soon as next week.

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