BILL NUMBER: ABX2 18	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Goldberg

                        MAY 17, 2001

   An act to add Chapter 5.7 (commencing with Section 25475) to
Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, relating to energy
conservation, and making an appropriation therefor.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 18, as introduced, Goldberg.  Energy conservation:  
nonprofit  hospital efficiency program.
   The Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Act requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission to administer specified laws with respect to
energy conservation.
   This bill would require the commission to establish a grant
program to reduce peak load demand by nonprofit public and private
hospitals using thermal energy storage technologies.  The bill would
appropriate $20,000,000 from the General Fund to the commission to
fund the grants.   The bill would require that no grant be
awarded to a for profit hospital until all eligible nonprofit
hospitals have been awarded grants. 
   Vote:  2/3.  Appropriation:  yes.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Over 450 hospitals with approximately 2700 buildings are
required to retrofit or rebuild those buildings to meet hospital
seismic safety standards.
   (b) Hospitals are currently in the process of developing the
mandated seismic safety compliance plans due January 1, 2002.
   (c) The state is in an energy crisis and should encourage
hospitals to decrease peak load by incorporating energy efficient
technologies as part of the seismic retrofit plans.
   (d) The installation of thermal energy storage systems and other
related technologies at hospitals can reduce peak load consumption.
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 5.7 (commencing with Section 25475) is added to
Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:

      CHAPTER 5.7.  HOSPITAL EFFICIENCY PROGRAM

   25475.  (a) The commission shall establish a grant program to
reduce peak load demand by  nonprofit  public and
private hospitals.
   (b) Applications for the grants shall be made to the commission in
a form and with the supporting material as may be prescribed by the
commission.
   (c) Applications shall be funded on a competitive basis.
   (d) Any  nonprofit  public or private hospital
may apply to the commission for a grant to be used for thermal energy
storage technologies that shift air-conditioning related energy
consumption to off-peak periods, recover heat, or in some other
manner can reduce load during peak demand periods.   No grant
shall be awarded to a for profit hospital until all eligible
nonprofit hospitals have been awarded grants. 
   (e) The amount of a grant shall be based on the projected average
number of kilowatts reduced during peak demand periods.
   25476.  The commission shall adopt rules and regulations necessary
to carry out the purposes of this chapter.  The rules and
regulations shall include provisions for the commission to audit, as
determined by the commission, grants made pursuant to this chapter.
  SEC. 3.  The sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) is hereby
appropriated from the General Fund to the State Energy Resources
Conservation and Development Commission for the purpose of awarding
grants pursuant to Chapter 5.7 (commencing with Section 25475) of
Division 15 of the Public Resources Code.