BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1881
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Date of Hearing: April 8, 2002
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Howard Wayne, Chair
AB 1881 (Pescetti) - As Introduced: February 4, 2002
SUBJECT : Solar thermal energy systems.
SUMMARY : This bill amends Section 14684 of the Government Code,
which was added by SB 82xx (Murray), Chapter 10, Statutes of
2001, Second Extraordinary Session, that will become operative
91 days after the close of the second extraordinary session to
make solar thermal and heating technologies eligible for
installation on, or adjacent to, new state buildings and parking
facilities.
EXISTING LAW : Pursuant to SB 82xx, requires the Department of
General Services and the California Energy Commission (CEC) to
ensure that solar equipment that produces electric energy be
installed, where feasible, as part of the construction of all
state buildings and parking lots after December 31, 2002.
THIS BILL :
1)Makes solar thermal and heating technologies eligible for
installation on, or adjacent to, new state buildings and
parking facilities.
2)Declares it feasible to install solar energy equipment on
state buildings when adequate space exists adjacent to a
building, or on a building.
3)Clarifies that funding is required to be available for the
installation of energy equipment to be feasible.
4)Requires the value of stable energy costs to be considered
when evaluating cost effectiveness of proposed projects.
5)Qualifies solar technologies using solar energy to produce
heat for installation on, or adjacent to, new state buildings
and parking lots.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS :
AB 1881
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1)Background
In the last year, California has been aggressive in promoting
renewable energy through a number of renewable energy programs
administered by the CEC. Solar electric systems have received
special attention because of their clean energy appeal with
virtually no operating cost.
SB 82xx, mandated that, where feasible, solar energy equipment
will be installed on state buildings beginning December 31,
2002. According to the author's office, SB 82xx, did not
include in the definition of solar energy equipment, "solar
thermal technologies" (pool heaters, water heaters). This bill
is intended to include solar thermal technologies in addition to
solar electric technologies, which may be utilized to reduce
consumption of electricity and fossil fuels on state owned
buildings. In addition, this bill adds language to allow solar
equipment to be installed adjacent to a state building, not just
on a state building.
2)This Bill Requires SB 82xx to Become Operative First .
This bill amends a section of the Government Code that is not
currently operative. SB 82xx, was signed by the Governor last
fall and chaptered, but because the second extraordinary session
has not officially been shut down, SB 82xx and the section of
law this bill amends, are not operative until 91 days after the
second extraordinary session ends.
To that end, this bill contains language stating that this bill
will not be operative until SB 82xx becomes operative, to avoid
any chaptering out issues.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Solar Energy Industries Association
Clean Power Campaign.
Sierra Club California
Opposition
None on file
AB 1881
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Analysis Prepared by : Kyra Emanuels Ross / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092