BILL ANALYSIS
AB 549
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 549 (Longville)
As Amended May 31, 2001
2/3 vote
UTILITIES AND COMMERCE 16-0 APPROPRIATIONS 14-7
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|Ayes:|Wright, Pescetti, |Ayes:|Migden, Alquist, Aroner, |
| |Calderon, | |Cedillo, Corbett, Correa, |
| |Bill Campbell, John | |Goldberg, Papan, Pavley, |
| |Campbell, Canciamilla, | |Simitian, Thomson, |
| |Cardenas, Diaz, Jackson, | |Wesson, Wiggins, Wright |
| |Kelley, Maddox, Nation, | | |
| |Papan, Reyes, Simitian, | | |
| |Wesson | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | |Nays:|Bates, Ashburn, Daucher, |
| | | |Maldonado, Robert |
| | | |Pacheco, Runner, Zettel |
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SUMMARY : Requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to
undertake various measures to reduce peak load demand in
residential and non-residential buildings. Specifically, this
bill requires CEC to:
1)Monitor compliance with building energy efficiency design
standards for residential and non-residential buildings.
2)Investigate options and develop a plan to decrease wasteful
peak load energy consumption.
3)Certify energy consultants, installers, field verifiers, and
non-residential building standards agents, as appropriate, to
ensure compliance with energy efficiency standards.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires CEC to prescribe, by regulation, various energy
efficiency design standards for residential and
non-residential buildings.
2)Requires CPUC, in consultation with the Independent System
AB 549
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Operator (ISO), to consult with CEC and adopt energy
conservation initiatives to reduce demand for electricity and
reduce peak load demand.
FISCAL EFFECT : $500,000 appropriation from the General Fund to
CEC for compliance monitoring.
COMMENTS : This bill contains identical language to SB X2 37
(Brulte), pending in the Senate. In its amended form, this bill
requires CEC to report to the Legislature on or before April 1,
2002, regarding any changes in law or other procedures which may
be required to decrease wasteful peak demand consumption of
electricity in existing residential and non-residential
buildings. This bill requires CEC, upon receipt of a complaint
to monitor compliance with building energy efficiency standards
by checking documentation with actual construction in the field.
This bill also requires CPUC, working with ISO, to support
building standards and other energy efficiency regulations and
support development of infrastructure to implement those
standards. The programs would take into account energy
efficiency standards developed by CEC.
There were two bills signed by the governor in the First
Extraordinary Session, SB X1 5 (Sher), Chapter 7, Statutes of
2001-2002 and AB X1 29 (Kehoe), Chapter 8, Statutes of
2001-2002, that provide appropriations of more than a billion
dollars to devote to energy efficiency, renewable energy
resources, weatherization, HVAC programs and other areas
designed to target reduced peak demand consumption for both the
long and short term in California. Each of these measures
provides funding for the next two years and requires CEC, CPUC,
ISO and other agencies to work cooperatively toward solutions to
existing problems with delivery of sufficient electricity supply
and reduction of peak period demand.
The $500,000 appropriation in this bill is modest, but it is not
likely to produce incremental beneficial results to those likely
to be achieved through the two extraordinary session bills
signed by the governor, except with regard to monitoring for
compliance and continued program enhancement for energy
efficient building standards and regulations.
Analysis Prepared by : Kelly Boyd / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083
AB 549
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FN: 0001397