BILL ANALYSIS 1
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SENATE ENERGY, UTILITIES AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
DEBRA BOWEN, CHAIRWOMAN
SB 1170 - Sher Hearing
Date: April 24, 2001 S
As Proposed to be Amended FISCAL B
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DESCRIPTION
This bill declares as policies of the state:
1.Minimizing the use of petroleum-based fuels by state
agencies,
2.Purchasing the cleanest and most efficient automobiles
and replacement tires,
3.Maximizing the use of alternative fuels, and
4.Implementing all other practicable and cost-effective
conservation measures.
The bill requires the California Energy Commission (CEC)
and the Department of General Services (DGS) to adopt
fuel-efficiency standards for new state vehicles and
replacement tires that result in annual reductions in
petroleum consumption.
The bill requires the CEC to adopt, by January 1, 2003,
recommendations for developing fuel-efficiency ratings for
tires.
BACKGROUND
The State of California, through DGS, purchases about 1,500
fleet vehicles every year. This figure includes passenger
vehicles, but does not include patrol cars and other
special purpose vehicles.
Under federal law, 75 percent of state fleet purchases must
be alternative fuel capable. There is no requirement for
these vehicles to actually run on alternative fuels, and,
due to limited alternative fueling infrastructure and
availability, most run on gasoline.
Current DGS policy is to buy Ultra Low Emission Vehicles
(ULEV) for the 25 percent of its fleet not required to be
alternative-fueled. The ULEV designation relates to
emissions, not fuel efficiency.
This bill is intended to reduce petroleum consumption from
state vehicles in two ways. First, to meet the bill's
goal, DGS would be compelled to purchase more
fuel-efficient petroleum-fueled cars and/or ensure that
alternative-fueled vehicles actually use alternative fuels.
Second, DGS would purchase fuel-efficient replacement
tires.
According to supporters, original equipment tires are three
to four percent more efficient than typical replacement
tires. Supporters suggest that requiring more efficient
replacement tires is a cost-effective method to reduce fuel
consumption.
On the issue of replacement tires, this bill further
requires the preparation of recommendations, which if
adopted, could result in fuel-efficiency standards for all
replacement tires sold in the state.
COMMENTS
1)Requirements may need more definition to ensure intent is
achieved. While the intent of this bill is clearly to
reduce petroleum consumption from state vehicles, the
bill's requirements may not be sufficiently definitive to
ensure that goal is diligently pursued. For example, the
bill could require that new state vehicles exceed, on
average, Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards by a
specified percentage.
2)"Implement all other practicable and cost-effective
conservation measures." In particular, the scope of this
policy is enormous. It is unclear how it would be
implemented, evaluated or enforced. Although it is a
positive statement, as a policy, it may have little
practical value.
POSITIONS
Sponsor:
Author
Support:
Clean Power Campaign
Natural Resources Defense Council
Planning and Conservation League
Sierra Club California
Oppose:
None on file
Lawrence Lingbloom
SB 1170 Analysis
Hearing Date: April 24, 2001