BILL ANALYSIS AB 1881 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 24, 2002 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Darrell Steinberg, Chair AB 1881 (Pescetti) - As Introduced: February 4, 2002 Policy Committee: Utilities and Commerce Vote: 16-0 Natural Resources 11-0 (Consent) Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill: 1)Declares that it is also feasible to install solar energy equipment at state buildings when adequate space exists adjacent to a building, and not just on a building as specified under recently passed legislation. 2)Expands the definition of solar energy equipment to be evaluated for installation on state buildings to include solar thermal and heating technologies, in addition to only electricity generating equipment as specified under the same legislation. FISCAL EFFECT This bill should not result in any additional costs. Installing solar energy equipment pursuant to this bill would be undertaken only with available funds and in those locations where it is determined to be feasible. DGS indicates that it has surveyed state facilities to assess the feasibility of energy efficiency and alternative energy measures and is implementing the most cost-effective measures to the extent funds are available. COMMENTS Background. AB 1881 amends the provisions of last year's SB 82 X2 (Murray), which requires the Department of General Services to ensure that solar energy equipment is installed on all state AB 1881 Page 2 buildings and parking lots, where feasible, by January 2007, and on all new state buildings commencing construction after January 2002. In making the feasiblity determination, the department is to take into account whether there is adequate space available for the equipment and whether the equipment is cost-effective and funding is available. That measure will become operative 91 days after the 2001-02 Second Extraordinary Session is adjourned. Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081