BILL ANALYSIS
SB 84 X2
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 84 X2 (Burton)
As Amended September 6, 2001
2/3 vote. Urgency
SENATE VOTE :30-1
ENERGY 18-0 APPROPRIATIONS 20-0
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|Ayes:|Wright, Pescetti, Bill |Ayes:|Migden, Bates, Alquist, |
| |Campbell, | |Aroner, Ashburn, |
| |John Campbell, | |Washington, Corbett, |
| |Canciamilla, Diaz, | |Correa, Daucher, |
| |Dickerson, Dutra, Florez, | |Goldberg, Robert Pacheco, |
| |Jackson, Keeley, Leonard, | |Papan, Pavley, Runner, |
| |Oropeza, Reyes, Richman, | |Simitian, Thomson, |
| |Steinberg, Vargas, Wesson | |Wesson, Wiggins, Wright, |
| | | |Zettel |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (CEC) to develop and implement a program
to provide battery backup power for traffic control signals that
CEC, in consultation with cities and counties, determines to be
high priority traffic control signals, and specifies that up to
$10 million in existing state funds shall be made available for
the projects. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires CEC to develop and implement a program to provide
battery backup power for those official traffic control
signals that CEC, in consultation with cities, counties, or
cities and counties, determines to be high priority traffic
control signals.
2)Authorizes CEC to grant 70% of the funds to a city, county, or
city and county for backup battery power for traffic control
signals retrofitted with light-emitting diodes.
3)Requires CEC to give priority to a city, county, or city and
county that did not receive a grant from the state for the
installation of light-emitting diode traffic control signals.
4)Authorizes the expenditure of up to $10,000,000 from existing
state funds for the purpose of providing matching grants
SB 84 X2
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pursuant to this bill.
EXISTING LAW provides funding to CEC to award loans and grants
to local governments to help them replace traditional
incandescent traffic signals with signals lighted by
light-emitting diodes (LED).
FISCAL EFFECT : Reallocates up to $10 million from existing
state funds to provide these matching grants to cities and
counties; CEC overhead for providing these grants is limited to
5% of the total funds expended.
COMMENTS : Light-emitting diodes (LED) traffic signals use
one-tenth of the electricity of traditional incandescent
traffic signals. Twice within the last twelve months the
Legislature has enacted legislation to provide funding for
cities and counties to transform traffic signal lights from
incandescent lamps to LED. AB 970 (Ducheny), Chapter 329,
Statutes of 2000) appropriated $10 million for grants to local
governments for this purpose. AB X1 29 (Kehoe), Chapter 8,
Statutes of 2001) contained an additional appropriation for
loans to local governments, but the appropriation was line-item
vetoed by the Governor, who expressed reservations about
appropriating monies for expenditures that would not impact peak
demand this summer.
According to the author's office, the existing grant programs
will reduce peak demand by 5.9 megawatts (MW) and result in $4.5
million per year in reduced energy costs for participating
cities and counties.
LED traffic signals are far more efficient than traditional
incandescent traffic signal. In the event of a blackout, the
installation of backup battery packs enables the LED traffic
signals to continue to operate. This measure authorizes CEC to
implement a matching grant program to assist local governments
in meeting the cost of supplying back-up battery power at
high-priority LED intersections throughout the state. The $10
million appropriation is from existing state funds.
Backup battery power for LED traffic signals cost approximately
$5,000 per intersection. Under this bill, the state provides 70
percent of the cost with a 30 percent match by local
governments. This will result in the installation of backup
battery power for approximately 2,800 intersections throughout
SB 84 X2
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California. By keeping the traffic signals running during
blackouts, this measure enhances public safety and reduces
automobile accidents at high priority intersections throughout
the state.
Analysis Prepared by : Kelly Boyd / E. C. & A. / (916)
319-2083
FN: 0003264