BILL ANALYSIS
SB 82 X2
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 82 X2 (Murray)
As Amended September 13, 2001
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE : 38-1
ENERGY 15-0 APPROPRIATIONS 21-0
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|Ayes:|Wright, Pescetti, Briggs, |Ayes:|Migden, Bates, Alquist, |
| |Canciamilla, Diaz, | |Aroner, Ashburn, Cedillo, |
| |Dickerson, Dutra, | |Corbett, Correa, Daucher, |
| |Jackson, Oropeza, Reyes, | |Goldberg, Maldonado, |
| |Richman, Steinberg, | |Robert Pacheco, Papan, |
| |Vargas, Wesson Zettel | |Pavley, Runner, Simitian, |
| | | |Thomson, Wesson, Wiggins, |
| | | |Wright, Zettel |
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SUMMARY : Requires Department of General Services (DGS), in
consultation with the California Energy Commission (CEC), to
ensure that solar energy equipment is installed, where feasible,
on all state building no later than January 1, 2007.
EXISTING LAW establishes:
1)DGS in state government with various responsibilities related
to planning, acquisition, construction and maintenance of
state buildings and property.
2)CEC, which has various responsibilities related to energy
conservation.
FISCAL EFFECT : This bill should not result in any additional
costs. 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. 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.
COMMENTS : This bill requires that DGS ensure that all state
buildings, as is feasible, have solar energy equipment installed
SB 82 X2
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not later than January 1, 2007. Included in the bill's charter
of increased energy efficiency for state buildings is the
requirement that all state buildings and parking structures,
again, as feasible, for which construction commences after
December 31, 2002, must have solar energy equipment installed in
the building process.
The author contends that this bill seeks to make state buildings
as accountable for reduced demand on the power grid as the
private sector and individuals are, through construction
standards and improvement standards that accommodate
installation of solar energy equipment. This bill specifies
that where sufficient, unobstructed roof space with reasonable
sun exposure exists, solar equipment should be installed to
reduce the state's reliance on the electric grid, as is also
economically feasible. The dual benefits are that state
buildings, enormous users of electricity, will reduce their
reliance on the grid and increase the proliferation of clean,
distributed generation.
Initially contemplated as a small business loan measure with the
same purpose, this bill now puts the state and state facilities,
as administered by DGS, into the driver's seat with regard to
clean, distributed generation to partially offset the state's
reliance on the currently overburdened electric grid. This bill
specifies that state buildings and solar facilities shall not be
exempt from any fees or requirements imposed by California
Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which reduces any concern
that increased self-reliance on the part of state facilities
might create a cost shift onto other electric service customers.
This bill requires no specific appropriation to accomplish the
goals of increased solar generation at state buildings and
structures and will result in reduced reliance on the state's
power grid. The going forward construction standards requiring
state buildings and structures to incorporate solar equipment is
a positive, cost-effective measure to reduce consumption and
adverse environmental impacts. Ultimately this bill represents
the state taking affirmative, responsible steps to accommodate
the reality that reduced reliance on the power grid and use of
cleaner energy resources can be achieved on the demand side of
the power equation in a cost-effective manner.
Analysis Prepared by : Kelly Boyd / E. C. & A. / (916)
SB 82 X2
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319-2083
FN: 0003636