BILL NUMBER: SBX1 28 AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 19, 2001 AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 14, 2001 AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 12, 2001 AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 5, 2001 INTRODUCED BY Senator Sher (Principal coauthors: Senators Battinand Brulte, Brulte, and Morrow ) (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Calderon) FEBRUARY 5, 2001 An act to add Section 42301.15 to, to add Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 39910) to Part 2 of Division 26 of, and to add and repeal Section 42314.3 of, the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 25514, 25523, 25531, and 25552 of, to add Section 25526.1 to, and to add and repeal Sections 25519.5 and 25550.5 of, the Public Resources Code, and to add Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 353.1) to Chapter 2.3 of Part 1 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to energy resources, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 28, as amended, Sher.PowerplantEnergy Commission: powerplant siting : Public Utilities Commission: distributed energy resources . (1) Existing law contains various provisions relative to air pollution control. This bill would require the State Air Resources Board, in consultation with air districts and the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) , to implement a program for the expedited retrofit of electrical generating facilities to ensure that the facilities are permitted to operate in a manner that protects and improves air quality. The bill also would require the state board to implement an expedited statewide program for the identification and banking of emission reduction credits for electrical generating facilities, make that information available to the public and interested parties, and consult with the owners of facilities being retrofitted and other specified entities to ensure that the program is coordinated with efforts to ensure electrical grid reliability. The bill would require each air pollution control district or air quality management district to adopt an expedited program for the permitting of standby electrical generation facilities, distributed generation facilities, and, where applicable, natural gas transmission facilities, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. The bill would, until January 1, 2004, authorize an applicant for a thermal powerplant to pay an air emissions mitigation fee to the appropriate air pollution control district or air quality management district for expenditure by the district. The bill would require the district to give first priority to securing emissions reductions from comparable stationary sources and would require the district to observe proximity standards of the federal Clean Air Act. The bill would authorize the district, to the extent cost-effective stationary source emissions reductions are not available, to expend the mitigation fees pursuant to the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program or a similar program established by the district. The bill would also authorize an applicant for a thermal powerplant to post a bond issued by an admitted surety in an amount sufficient to adequately cover the cost of required emissions offsets. (2) Existing law provides for the restructuring of California's electric power industry so that the price for the generation of electricity is determined by a competitive market. Existing law requires theStateEnergyResources Conservation and DevelopmentCommission to certify all sites and related facilities for thermal powerplants in the state, including a new site and related facility or a change or addition to an existing facility. ThecommissionEnergy Commission is required to prepare a final report and written decision after a public hearing on the application for the powerplant. Existing law requires thecommissionEnergy Commission to request the appropriate local, regional, state, and federal agencies to make comments and recommendations about the design, operation, and location of facilities. This bill would require, until January 1, 2004, each local government agency reviewing the application to file a preliminary list of issues regarding the design, operation, location, and financial impact of the facility with thecommissionEnergy Commission within 45 days of the date the application for certification is deemed filed. The bill would require the local jurisdiction to provide a final list of those issues no later than 100 days after the application for certification is deemed filed. To the extent that the bill would require the local jurisdiction to provide a new program or higher level of service, it would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would require the final report prepared by thecommissionEnergy Commission to additionally include findings and conclusions as to whether increased property taxes due to the construction of the project are sufficient to support needed local improvements and public services required to serve the project. This bill would require the written decision prepared by thecommissionEnergy Commission after the public hearing to include a discussion of any public benefits from the project including, but not limited to, economic benefits, environmental benefits, and electricity reliability benefits. This bill would require thecommissionEnergy Commission to adopt a regulation governing ex parte contacts applicable to an adjudicatory proceeding, as specified. This bill would clarify that decisions of thecommissionEnergy Commission are subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court of California. (3) Existing law authorizes thecommissionEnergy Commission to establish a process for the expedited review of applications to construct and operate powerplants and thermal powerplants and related facilities. This bill would require thecommissionEnergy Commission , until January 1, 2004, also to establish a process for the expedited review of a repowering project. This bill would additionally delete the deadline for completed applications for an expedited decision on simple cycle thermal powerplants. (4) Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and other specified entities. This bill would require the commission to require each electrical corporation to modify tariffs so that all customers that install new distributed energy resources, as defined, in accordance with specified criteria are served under rates, rules, and requirements identical to those of a customer within the same rate schedule that does not use distributed energy resources, and to withdraw any provisions in otherwise applicable tariffs that activate other tariffs, rates, or rules if a customer uses distributed energy resources. The bill would require the commission to require each electrical corporation, as part of its distribution planning process, to include nonutility owned distributed energy resources as a possible alternative to investments in its distribution system in order to ensure reliable electric service at the lowest possible cost. The bill would require the commission to require each electrical corporation to adopt standard contract terms, conditions, penalties, and enforcement mechanisms for distributed energy resources units providing distribution reliability services. The bill would require the commission, in establishing the rates under the provisions of the bill, to create a firewall that segregates distribution cost recovery, as described. The bill would require a local publicly owned electric utility, as defined, or a local publicly owned utility otherwise providing electrical service, to undertake a review of its rates, tariffs, and rules, as prescribed, and to hold at least one noticed public meeting to solicit public comment on the review and any recommended changes. The bill would require the commission to require each electrical corporation to establish new tariffs on or before January 1, 2003, for customers using distributed energy resources. The bill would continue to subject certain distributed energy resources, after January 1, 2003, to preexisting tariffs under the bill, until June 1, 2011. The bill would require the commission to prepare and submit to the Legislature, on or before June 1, 2002, a report describing its proposed methodology for determining the new rates and the process by which it will establish those rates. Because a violation of a requirement of the commission is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime. (5) The bill would appropriate not more than $53,250,000 from the General Fund to the commission for expenditure, until January 1, 2005, in accordance with a prescribed schedule.(5)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement, including the creation of a State Mandates Claims Fund to pay the costs of mandates that do not exceed $1,000,000 statewide and other procedures for claims whose statewide costs exceed $1,000,000. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.(6) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement, including the creation of a State Mandates Claims Fund to pay the costs of mandates that do not exceed $1,000,000 statewide and other procedures for claims whose statewide costs exceed $1,000,000. This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above. (7) The bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute. Vote: 2/3. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 39910) is added to Part 2 of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: CHAPTER 7. EXPEDITED AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR ELECTRICAL GENERATION 39910. The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the interests of the people of the State of California to ensure that the state board establish an expedited process to assist in the permitting, retrofit, and operation of electrical generating facilities in a manner that protects public health and air quality. 39915. The state board, in consultation with the districts and the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, shall implement a program for the expedited retrofit of electrical generating facilities to ensure that those facilities are operated in a manner that protects and improves air quality. The state board shall consult with the owners of facilities being retrofitted, the Independent System Operator, and the Public Utilities Commission to ensure that the program is coordinated with efforts to ensure electrical grid reliability. The state board shall establish standards and timeframes in a manner consistent with existing requirements to implement this section. 39920. The state board shall implement an expedited statewide program for the identification and banking of emission reduction credits for electrical generating facilities and, where applicable, natural gas transmission facilities and make that information available to the public and interested parties. The board shall consult with the owners of affected facilities. SEC. 2. Section 42301.15 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: 42301.15. Each district shall adopt an expedited program for the permitting of standby electrical generation facilities, distributed generation facilities, and, where applicable, natural gas transmission facilities which ensures that those facilities may operate in compliance with applicable air quality standards, statutes, and regulations. SEC. 3. Section 42314.3 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: 42314.3. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and to the extent permitted by the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.), and upon demonstration by the owner or operator of the facility that those offsets are not available, in lieu of obtaining emissions offsets, the applicant for a thermal powerplant may pay an air emissions mitigation fee to the appropriate air pollution control district or air quality management district for expenditure by the district. In expending mitigation fees, the district shall give first priority to securing emission reductions from comparable stationary sources and shall observe standards regarding proximity consistent with regulations and guidance adopted pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.). To the extent cost-effective stationary source emission reductions are not available, the district may expend mitigation fees for the program established by Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44275) of Part 5 or a similar program established by the district. (b) Consistent with subdivision (a), the applicant for a thermal powerplant may post a bond in an amount sufficient to adequately cover the cost of required emissions offsets. The bond shall only be issued by an admitted surety for the benefit of, and held by, the local air district. Prior to commencement of operation, the owner or operator of the thermal powerplant shall obtain the required emissions offsets, or shall obtain a portion of the required emissions offsets and forfeit a proportionate amount of the bond or letter of credit to the district sufficient to acquire the portion of the required emissions offsets that are not obtained. The district may, by regulation, establish the time period, not to exceed six months prior to commencement of operations, at which time the offsets or funds shall be provided. (c) With respect to subdivisions (a) and (b), the appropriate district shall hold a public hearing before the governing board or air pollution control officer to establish the amount to be paid. Notice of the hearing shall be published at least 30 days prior to the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the area to be affected by the powerplant emissions. The amount shall be sufficient in the judgment of the district to obtain equivalent emission reductions as would have been provided by the otherwise required emissions offsets, and may include an additional amount not to exceed 3 percent to cover the district's administrative costs. The district shall use the funds to obtain equivalent emissions reductions as would have been provided by offsets, to the maximum extent feasible. (d) This section shall apply to all proposed thermal powerplants, including those subject to the jurisdiction of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. (e) The district may, by regulation, suspend or limit the applicability of this section for any period of time or with respect to a particular powerplant to the extent the district determines that application of this section would interfere with attainment or maintenance of national ambient air quality standards, or to the extent it determines that adequate offsets are available at a reasonable price. (f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2004, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, which is enacted before January 1, 2004, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 4. Section 25514 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: 25514. After conclusion of the hearings held pursuant to Section 25513 and no later than 300 days after the filing of the notice, a final report shall be prepared and distributed. The final report shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (a) The findings and conclusions of the commission regarding the conformity of alternative sites and related facilities designated in the notice or considered in the notice of intention proceeding with both of the following: (1) The 12-year forecast of statewide and service area electric power demands adopted pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 25305, except as provided in Section 25514.5. (2) Applicable local, regional, state, and federal standards, ordinances, and laws, including any long-range land use plans or guidelines adopted by the state or by any local or regional planning agency, which would be applicable but for the exclusive authority of the commission to certify sites and related facilities; and the standards adopted by the commission pursuant to Section 25216.3. (b) Any findings and comments submitted by the California Coastal Commission pursuant to Section 25507 and subdivision (d) of Section 30413. (c) Any findings and comments submitted by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission pursuant to Section 25507 of this code and subdivision (d) of Section 66645 of the Government Code. (d) The commission's findings on the acceptability and relative merit of each alternative siting proposal designated in the notice or presented at the hearings and reviewed by the commission. The specific findings of relative merit shall be made pursuant to Sections 25502 to 25516, inclusive. In its findings on any alternative siting proposal, the commission may specify modification in the design, construction, location, or other conditions which will meet the standards, policies, and guidelines established by the commission. (e) Findings and conclusions with respect to the safety and reliability of the facility or facilities at each of the sites designated in the notice, as determined by the commission pursuant to Section 25511, and any conditions, modifications, or criteria proposed for any site and related facility proposal resulting from the findings and conclusions. (f) Findings and conclusions as to whether increased property taxes due to the construction of the project are sufficient to support needed local improvements and public services required to serve the project. SEC. 5. Section 25519.5 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read: 25519.5. (a) Each local government agency reviewing an application pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 25519 shall file a preliminary list of issues regarding the design, operation, location, and financial impacts of the facility with the commission no later than 45 days after the date an application for certification is deemed filed for purposes of Section 25522 and shall provide a final list of those issues with the commission no later than 100 days after the application for certification is deemed filed. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2004, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, which is enacted before January 1, 2004, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 6. Section 25523 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: 25523. The commission shall prepare a written decision after the public hearing on an application, which includes all of the following: (a) Specific provisions relating to the manner in which the proposed facility is to be designed, sited, and operated in order to protect environmental quality and assure public health and safety. (b) In the case of a site to be located in the coastal zone, specific provisions to meet the objectives of Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000) as may be specified in the report submitted by the California Coastal Commission pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 30413, unless the commission specifically finds that the adoption of the provisions specified in the report would result in greater adverse effect on the environment or that the provisions proposed in the report would not be feasible. (c) In the case of a site to be located in the Suisun Marsh or in the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, specific provisions to meet the requirements of Division 19 (commencing with Section 29000) of this code or Title 7.2 (commencing with Section 66600) of the Government Code as may be specified in the report submitted by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 66645 of the Government Code, unless the commission specifically finds that the adoption of the provisions specified in the report would result in greater adverse effect on the environment or the provisions proposed in the report would not be feasible. (d) (1) Findings regarding the conformity of the proposed site and related facilities with standards adopted by the commission pursuant to Section 25216.3 and subdivision (d) of Section 25402, with public safety standards and the applicable air and water quality standards, and with other relevant local, regional, state, and federal standards, ordinances, or laws. If the commission finds that there is noncompliance with any state, local, or regional ordinance or regulation in the application, it shall consult and meet with the state, local, or regional governmental agency concerned to attempt to correct or eliminate the noncompliance. If the noncompliance cannot be corrected or eliminated, the commission shall inform the state, local, or regional governmental agency if it makes the findings required by Section 25525. (2) The commission may not find that the proposed facility conforms with applicable air quality standards pursuant to paragraph (1) unless the applicable air pollution control district or air quality management district certifies that complete emissions offsets for the proposed facility have been identified and will be obtained by the applicant prior to the commission's licensing of the project, to the extent that the proposed facility requires emission offsets to comply with local, regional, state, or federal air quality standards. (e) Provision for restoring the site as necessary to protect the environment, if the commission denies approval of the application. (f) In the case of a site and related facility using resource recovery (waste-to-energy) technology, specific conditions requiring that the facility be monitored to ensure compliance with paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 42315 of the Health and Safety Code. (g) In the case of a facility, other than a resource recovery facility subject to subdivision (f), specific conditions requiring the facility to be monitored to ensure compliance with toxic air contaminant control measures adopted by an air pollution control district or air quality management district pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 39666 or Section 41700 of the Health and Safety Code, whether the measures were adopted before or after issuance of a determination of compliance by the district. (h) A discussion of any public benefits from the project including, but not limited to, economic benefits, environmental benefits, and electricity reliability benefits. SEC. 7. Section 25526.1 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read: 25526.1. The commission shall adopt a regulation, applicable to any adjudicatory proceeding before the commission, governing ex parte contacts. The regulation shall provide for prompt disclosure of any ex parte contact. The rule shall apply to any contact regarding a substantive, nonprocedural matter at issue in the adjudicatory proceeding between any party to the proceeding and commission staff where the staff is acting as a party to the proceeding, and any commissioner, commissioner's advisor, or hearing officer. The regulation shall not restrict exchanges of information among the public and any parties to the proceeding, including contacts between parties and commission staff, other than a commissioner, commissioner' s advisor, or hearing officer. The commission staff shall docket a written summary of the substance of any ex parte contact between staff and a party. SEC. 8. Section 25531 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: 25531. (a) The decisions of the commission on any application for certification of a site and related facility are subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court of California. (b) No new or additional evidence may be introduced upon review and the cause shall be heard on the record of the commission as certified to by it. The review shall not be extended further than to determine whether the commission has regularly pursued its authority, including a determination of whether the order or decision under review violates any right of the petitioner under the United States Constitution or the California Constitution. The findings and conclusions of the commission on questions of fact are final and are not subject to review, except as provided in this article. These questions of fact shall include ultimate facts and the findings and conclusions of the commission. A report prepared by, or an approval of, the commission pursuant to Section 25510, 25514, 25516, or 25516.5, or subdivision (b) of Section 25520.5, shall not constitute a decision of the commission subject to judicial review. (c) Subject to the right of judicial review of decisions of the commission, no court in this state has jurisdiction to hear or determine any case or controversy concerning any matter which was, or could have been, determined in a proceeding before the commission, or to stop or delay the construction or operation of any thermal powerplant except to enforce compliance with the provisions of a decision of the commission. (d) Notwithstanding Section 1250.370 of the Code of Civil Procedure: (1) If the commission requires, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 25528, as a condition of certification of any site and related facility, that the applicant acquire development rights, that requirement conclusively establishes the matters referred to in Sections 1240.030 and 1240.220 of the Code of Civil Procedure in any eminent domain proceeding brought by the applicant to acquire the development rights. (2) If the commission certifies any site and related facility, that certification conclusively establishes the matters referred to in Sections 1240.030 and 1240.220 of the Code of Civil Procedure in any eminent domain proceeding brought to acquire the site and related facility. (e) No decision of the commission pursuant to Section 25516, 25522, or 25523 shall be found to mandate a specific supply plan for any utility as prohibited by Section 25323. SEC. 9. Section 25550.5 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read: 25550.5. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 25522 and Section 25540.6, the commission shall establish a process to issue its final decision on an application for certification for the repowering of a thermal powerplant and related facilities within 180 days after the filing of the application for certification that, on the basis of an initial review, shows that there is substantial evidence that the project will not cause a significant adverse impact on the environment or electrical system and that the project will comply with all applicable standards, ordinances, regulations, and statutes. For purposes of this section, filing has the same meaning as in Section 25522. (b) The repowering of a thermal powerplant and related facilities reviewed under this process shall satisfy the requirements of Section 25520 and other necessary information required by the commission by regulation, including the information required for permitting by each local, state, and regional agency that would have jurisdiction over the proposed repowering of a thermal powerplant and related facilities but for the exclusive jurisdiction of the commission and the information required for permitting by each federal agency that has jurisdiction over the proposed repowering of a thermal powerplant and related facilities. (c) After an application is filed under this section, the commission shall not be required to issue a final decision on the application within 180 days if it determines there is substantial evidence in the record that the thermal powerplant and related facilities may result in a significant adverse impact on the environment or electrical system or does not comply with an applicable standard, ordinance, regulation, or statute. Under this circumstance, the commission shall make its decision in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 25522 and Section 25540.6, and a new application shall not be required. (d) For an application that the commission accepts under this section, any local, regional, or state agency that would have had jurisdiction over the proposed thermal powerplant and related facilities, but for the exclusive jurisdiction of the commission, shall provide its final comments, determinations, or opinions within 100 days after the filing of the application. The regional water quality control board, as established pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 13200) of Division 7 of the Water Code, shall retain jurisdiction over any applicable water quality standard that is incorporated into any final certification issued pursuant to this chapter. (e) The repowering of a thermal powerplant and related facilities that demonstrate superior environmental or efficiency performance improvement shall receive first priority in review by the commission. (f) With respect to the repowering of a thermal powerplant and related facilities reviewed under the process established by this chapter, it shall be shown that the applicant has contracted for an adequate supply of skilled labor to construct, operate, and maintain the plant. (g) With respect to a repowering of a thermal powerplant and related facilities reviewed under the process established by this chapter, it shall be shown that the thermal powerplant and related facilities complies with all regulations adopted by the commission that ensure that an application addresses disproportionate impacts in a manner consistent with Section 65040.12 of the Government Code. (h) To implement this section, the commission may adopt emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. For purposes of that chapter, including, without limitation, Section 11349.6 of the Government Code, the adoption of the regulations shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law to be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare. (i) For purposes of this section, "repowering" means a project for the modification of an existing generation unit of a thermal powerplant that meets all of the following criteria: (1) The project complies with all applicable requirements of federal, state, and local laws. (2) The project is located on the site of, and within the existing boundaries of, an existing thermal facility. (3) The project will not require significant additional rights-of-way for electrical or fuel-related transmission facilities. (4) The project will result in significant and substantial increases in the efficiency of the production of electricity, including, but not limited to, reducing the heat rate, reducing the use of natural gas, reducing the use and discharge of water, and reducing air pollutants emitted by the project, as measured on a per kilowatthour basis. (j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2004, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2004, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 10. Section 25552 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: 25552. (a) The commission shall implement a procedure, consistent with Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) and with the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.), for an expedited decision on simple cycle thermal powerplants and related facilities that can be put into service on or before December 31, 2002, including a procedure for considering amendments to a pending application if the amendments specify a change from a combined cycle thermal powerplant and related facilities to a simple cycle thermal powerplant and related facilities. (b) The procedure shall include all of the following: (1) A requirement that, within 15 days of receiving the application or amendment to a pending application, the commission shall determine whether the application is complete. (2) A requirement that, within 25 days of determining that an application is complete, the commission, or a committee of the commission, shall determine whether the application qualifies for an expedited decision pursuant to this section. If an application qualifies for an expedited decision pursuant to this section, the commission shall provide the notice required by Section 21092. (c) The commission shall issue its final decision on an application, including an amendment to a pending application, within four months from the date on which it deems the application or amendment complete, or at any later time mutually agreed upon by the commission and the applicant, provided that the thermal powerplant and related facilities remain likely to be in service on or before December 31, 2002. (d) The commission shall issue a decision granting a license to a simple cycle thermal powerplant and related facilities pursuant to this section if the commission finds all of the following: (1) The thermal powerplant is not a major stationary source or a modification to a major stationary source, as defined by the federal Clean Air Act, and will be equipped with best available control technology, in consultation with the appropriate air pollution control district or air quality management district and the State Air Resources Board. (2) The thermal powerplant and related facilities will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment or the electrical system as a result of construction or operation. (3) With respect to a project for a thermal powerplant and related facilities reviewed under the process established by this section, the applicant has contracted for an adequate supply of skilled labor to construct, operate, and maintain the thermal powerplant. (e) In order to qualify for the procedure established by this section, an application shall satisfy the requirements of Section 25523, and include a description of the proposed conditions of certification that will do all of the following: (1) Assure that the thermal powerplant and related facilities will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment as a result of construction or operation. (2) Assure protection of public health and safety. (3) Result in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and standards. (4) A reasonable demonstration that the thermal powerplant and related facilities, if licensed on the expedited schedule provided by this section, will be in service before December 31, 2002. (5) A binding and enforceable agreement with the commission, that demonstrates either of the following: (A) That the thermal powerplant will cease to operate and the permit will terminate within three years. (B) That the thermal powerplant will be recertified, modified, replaced, or removed within a period of three years with a cogeneration or combined-cycle thermal powerplant that uses best available control technology and obtains necessary offsets, as determined at the time the combined-cycle thermal powerplant is constructed, and that complies with all other applicable laws, ordinances, and standards. (6) Where applicable, that the thermal powerplant will obtain offsets or, where offsets are unavailable, pay an air emissions mitigation fee to the air pollution control district or air quality management district based upon the actual emissions from the thermal powerplant, to the district for expenditure by the district pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44275) of Part 5 of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code, to mitigate the emissions from the plant. To the extent consistent with federal law and regulation, any offsets required pursuant to this paragraph shall be based upon a 1:1 ratio, unless, after consultation with the applicable air pollution control district or air quality management district, the commission finds that a different ratio should be required. (7) Nothing in this section shall affect the ability of an applicant that receives approval to install simple cycle thermal powerplants and related facilities as an amendment to a pending application to proceed with the original application for a combined cycle thermal powerplant or related facilities. (f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2003, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2003, deletes or extends that date except that the binding commitments in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e) shall remain in effect after that date. SEC. 11. Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 353.1) is added to Chapter 2.3 of Part 1 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code, to read: Article 3.5. Distributed Energy Resources 353.1. As used in this article, "distributed energy resources" means any electric generation technology that meets all of the following criteria: (a) Commences initial operation between May 1, 2001 and June 1, 2003, except that gas-fired distributed energy resources that are not operated in a combined heat and power application must commence operation no later than July 1, 2001. (b) Is located within a single facility. (c) Is five megawatts or smaller in aggregate capacity. (d) Serves onsite loads or over-the-fence transactions allowed under Sections 216 and 218. (e) Is powered by any fuel other than diesel. (f) Complies with emission standards and guidance adopted by the State Air Resources Board pursuant to Sections 41514.9 and 41514.10 of the Health and Safety Code. Prior to the adoption of those standards and guidance, for the purpose of this article, distributed energy resources shall meet emissions levels equivalent to nine parts per million oxides of nitrogen, averaged over a three-hour period, or best available control technology for the applicable air district, whichever is lower. 353.3. (a) The commission shall require each electrical corporation to modify its tariffs so that all customers installing new distributed energy resources in accordance with the criteria described in Section 353.1 are served under rates, rules, and requirements identical to those of a customer within the same rate schedule that does not use distributed energy resources, and to withdraw any provisions in otherwise applicable tariffs that activate other tariffs, rates, or rules if a customer uses distributed energy resources. (b) To qualify for the tariffs described in subdivision (a), each customer shall participate in a real-time metering and pricing program, in which rates for any energy purchased from the electrical corporation reflect the actual cost to the electrical corporation of energy at the time it is consumed. (c) Except as specified in Section 353.7, customers may not be subject to the application of additional rates or tariffs solely because of their use of distributed energy resources to serve onsite loads or over-the-fence transactions allowed under Sections 216 and 218. 353.5. The commission shall require each electrical corporation, as part of its distribution planning process, to include nonutility owned distributed energy resources as a possible alternative to investments in its distribution system in order to ensure reliable electric service at the lowest possible cost. The commission shall require each electrical corporation to adopt standard contract terms, conditions, penalties, and enforcement mechanisms for distributed energy resources units providing distribution reliability services. The commission shall review for the purpose of compliance with this section, on an annual basis, the progress of each corporation in incorporating these changes into their planning processes. 353.7. Notwithstanding Section 353.3, nothing in this article may result in any exemption from reasonable interconnection charges, lead to any reduction in contributions by each customer class to public purpose programs funded under Section 399.8, or relieve any customer of any obligation determined by the commission to result from participation in the purchase of power through the Department of Water Resources pursuant to Division 27 (commencing with Section 80000) of the Water Code. 353.9. In establishing the rates required under this article, the commission shall create a firewall that segregates distribution cost recovery so that any net costs, taking into account the actual costs and benefits of distributed energy resources, proportional to each customer class, as determined by the commission, resulting from the tariff modifications granted to members of each customer class may be recovered only from that class. 353.11. A local publicly owned electric utility, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 9604, or a local publicly owned utility otherwise providing electrical service, shall review at the earliest practicable date its rates, tariffs, and rules to identify barriers to and determine the appropriate balance of costs and benefits of distributed energy resources in order to facilitate the installation of these resources in the interests of their customer-owners and the state, and shall hold at least one noticed public meeting to solicit public comment on the review and any recommended changes. However, notwithstanding any other provision of this article, such an entity has the sole authority to undertake such a review and to make modifications to its rates, tariffs, and rules as the governing body of that utility determines to be necessary. 353.13. (a) The commission shall require each electrical corporation to establish new tariffs on or before January 1, 2003, for customers using distributed energy resources, including, but not limited to, those which do not meet all of the criteria described in Section 353.1. However, after January 1, 2003, distributed energy resources that meet all of the criteria described in Section 353.1 shall continue to be subject only to those tariffs in existence pursuant to Section 353.3, until June 1, 2011. Those tariffs required pursuant to this section shall ensure that all net distribution costs incurred to serve each customer class, taking into account the actual costs and benefits of distributed energy resources, proportional to each customer class, as determined by the commission, are fully recovered only from that class. The commission shall require each electrical corporation, in establishing those rates, to ensure that customers with similar load profiles within a customer class will, to the extent practicable, be subject to the same utility rates, regardless of their use of distributed energy resources to serve onsite loads or over-the-fence transactions allowed under Sections 216 and 218. Customers with dedicated facilities shall remain responsible for their obligations regarding payment for those facilities. (b) The commission shall prepare and submit to the Legislature, on or before June 1, 2002, a report describing its proposed methodology for determining the new rates and the process by which it will establish those rates. SEC. 12. The sum of not more than fifty-three million two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($53,250,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for expenditure, until January 1, 2005, for the following purposes: (a) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to increase rebates for clean, renewable, grid-connected distributed energy systems, including fuel cells, smaller than 10 kilowatts. (b) Three million dollars ($3,000,000) to provide assistance to cities and counties to expedite the review and analysis of applications for electrical generating facilities which will assist the state in meeting its urgent energy needs and ensuring system reliability. The moneys available pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used to supplant funding available to a city or county through the exercise of its existing fee authority. (c) Not more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to contract or conduct a study, in consultation with the Orange County Sanitation District, of the remedies to mitigate effects of shoreline water contamination located in the vicinity of the City of Huntington Beach to be conducted concurrently with the Huntington Beach Shoreline Contamination Study conducted by the Orange County Sanitation District.SEC. 12. Notwithstanding Section 17610 of the Government Code, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. If the statewide cost of the claim for reimbursement does not exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000), reimbursement shall be made from the State Mandates Claims Fund. SEC. 13.SEC. 13. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because in that regard this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution. However, notwithstanding Section 17610 of the Government Code, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. If the statewide cost of the claim for reimbursement does not exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000), reimbursement shall be made from the State Mandates Claims Fund. SEC. 14. This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are: In order to address the rapid, unforeseen shortage of electric supply and energy available in the state, which endangers the health, welfare, and safety of the people of this state, it is necessary for this act to take effect immediately.