BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1170|
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 1170
Author: Sher (D)
Amended: 9/10/01
Vote: 21
SENATE ENERGY, U.&C. COMMITTEE : 6-0, 4/24/01
AYES: Bowen, Alarcon, Battin, Murray, Speier, Vincent
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 0-0, 5/31/01
AYES: Alpert, Battin, Bowen, Escutia, Johannessen,
Karnette, McPherson, Murray, Perata, Speier
SENATE FLOOR : 30-8, 6/4/01
AYES: Alarcon, Alpert, Battin, Bowen, Burton, Chesbro,
Costa, Dunn, Escutia, Figueroa, Johannessen, Karnette,
Kuehl, Machado, Margett, McPherson, Murray, O'Connell,
Ortiz, Peace, Perata, Polanco, Romero, Scott, Sher, Soto,
Speier, Torlakson, Vasconcellos, Vincent
NOES: Ackerman, Brulte, Haynes, Knight, McClintock,
Monteith, Oller, Poochigian
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Not available
SUBJECT : State vehicle fleet
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill establishes a structure to minimize
the use of petroleum-based fuels and other transportation
fuels by state agencies to encourage the purchase of
ultra-low emission vehicles and zero emission vehicles and
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fuel-efficient replacement tires for the state fleet.
Assembly Amendments (1) add language requiring the Air
Resources Board to participate in developing the required
specifications, (2) add language requiring the development
of air pollution emission specifications governing the
purchase of passenger cars and light-duty trucks, as
specified, (3) make changes in the declarations of the
policy of the State, and (4) add coauthors.
ANALYSIS : The State of California, through the State
Department of General Services (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 that is not required
to be alternative-fueled. The ULEV designation relates to
emissions, not fuel efficiency.
This bill requires various state agencies to develop and
adopt fuel-efficiency and air pollution emission standards
and recommendations governing the purchase of new state
vehicles and replacement tires that will result in reduced
petroleum consumption. Specifically, this bill:
1.Declares that it is the policy of the State to minimize
the economic and environmental costs of using
petroleum-based and other transportation fuels by state
agencies and to implement a least-cost economic and
environmental strategy for state fleets.
2.Requires the California Energy Commission (CEC), DGS, and
the State Air Resources Board, by January 31, 2003, to
adopt fuel-efficiency standards and air pollution
emission specifications governing the state purchase of
replacement tires and new vehicles, including those that
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meet or exceed the State's ULEV standards for exhaust
emissions.
3.Requires the CEC, by January 11, 2003, to develop and
adopt recommendations for producing fuel-efficiency
ratings for tires.
4.Requires CEC and DGS to conduct a study analyzing the
costs and benefits of a 10 percent reduction in state
fleet energy consumption by January 1, 2005, and directs
the State to pursue a waiver from federal requirements
governing the state purchase of vehicles in specified
circumstances.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
Moderate costs of about $400,000, mainly in fiscal year
(FY) 2002-03, to study the costs and benefits of reducing
the state fleet's energy consumption and to adopt
fuel-efficiency and air pollution emission specifications.
Major cost pressures, in the range of $2 million annually
starting in FY 2003-04, to purchase more fuel-efficient and
lower emission vehicles at potentially higher prices than
comparable conventional vehicles to satisfy the new
specifications and energy consumption reduction goals.
Potentially major savings, in the range of $2 million
annually starting in FY 2004-05, through the use of more
fuel-efficient vehicles and replacement tires, resulting in
a long-term significant reduction in the State's purchase
of petroleum-based fuels.
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/31/01) (Unable to reverify at time
of writing)
Clean Power Campaign
Natural Resources Defense Council
Planning and Conservation League
Sierra Club California
NC:cm 9/12/01 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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