BILL NUMBER: AB 2944	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Kehoe

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2002

   An act to add Section 25407 to the Public Resources Code, relating
to energy conservation and development.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2944, as introduced, Kehoe.  Energy conservation and
development:  San Diego Solar Streetlights Pilot Program.
   Existing law establishes the State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission within the Resources Agency, with powers
and responsibilities that include the development of alternative
renewable sources of energy.
   This bill would establish the San Diego Solar Streetlights Pilot
Program to educate the public on the feasibility of solar energy
systems and to encourage greater use of solar energy systems in both
commercial and residential applications.  The bill would require the
commission to report to the Governor and the Legislature on the pilot
program.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  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) It is in the best interests of the people of this state that
the quality of life of its citizens be improved by providing
environmentally sound, safe, reliable, and affordable energy services
and products.
   (b) It is in the best interests of the people of this state to
reduce our reliance upon electrical corporations and electricity
generated by thermal powerplants.
   (c) It is in the best interests of the people of this state to
encourage the use of alternative energy sources, including solar
energy systems, as a means of reducing that reliance.
   (d) Pilot programs demonstrating to the public both the
feasibility and reliability of alternative energy sources are an
effective means to encourage the public to use solar energy systems.

  SEC. 2.  Section 25407 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
   25407.  (a) The San Diego Solar Streetlights Pilot Program is
hereby established for a period of time to be determined by the
commission, upon agreement with the City of San Diego, and at the
initiative of alternative energy companies that have organized among
themselves to implement the solar energy pilot program.
   (b) The purpose of the pilot program is to educate the public on
the feasibility of solar energy systems as an alternative renewable
energy source, and to encourage greater use of solar energy systems
in both commercial and residential applications.
   (c) The project shall utilize resources of California alternative
energy companies for a solar street lighting system for a portion of
the city not to exceed a six-block radius. "Street lighting system"
includes any or all appliances, poles, posts, electroliers,
transformers, lighting units, lamps, cables, wires, pipes, conduits,
and other suitable or necessary works or appliances  for street
lighting purposes.
   (d) The participating alternative energy companies shall, in
consideration of certain incentives to be devised by the City of San
Diego in concert with the alternative energy producers, donate the
physical plant and necessary infrastructure to bring the pilot
project into being.  No state funds shall be encumbered in order to
conduct, or pay for, any part of the pilot program originally
undertaken or provided by any industry or business participant.
Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as prohibiting the use
of federal funds, should they become available for purposes
consistent with this section or from preventing the commission from
using existing resources, to provide technical or other assistance to
the program.
   (e) The industry or business participants of the pilot program may
be identified in public, provided the brands of products employed
shall not be identified, nor shall their use be deemed an endorsement
of any particular brand or proprietary approach to using alternative
energy.
   (f) On or before January 1, 2005, the commission shall report to
the Governor and the Legislature on the pilot program.  This report
shall include, but is not limited to, an analysis of the costs and
benefits of equipment and materials used in the pilot program, a
discussion of the results obtained and a discussion of the
implications for statewide implementation of the program.