BILL NUMBER: AB 2685	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 14, 2004

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Oropeza

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2004

    An act to add Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 25560)
to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, relating to energy
resources.   An act to add Section 65040.15 to the
Government Code, relating to energy resources. 


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2685, as amended, Oropeza.  Energy resources:   Energy
Independence Board   State Clearinghouse  .
   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.   Under
existing law, the Office of Planning and Research is required to
coordinate, in conjunction with appropriate state, regional, and
local agencies, the development of objectives, criteria, and
procedures for the orderly evaluation and report of the impact of
public and private actions on the environmental quality of the state
and as a guide to the preparation of environmental impact reports.

   This bill would  create the Energy Independence Board
  require, upon request, the State Clearinghouse 
within the Office of Planning and Research to facilitate the
development of  renewable  electricity generation
facilities, as defined.  The bill would  require the focus of
the board to be on   authorize the clearinghouse to
convene appropriate state, regional, or local agencies for the
purpose of  streamlining regulatory requirements and processes.
The bill would not authorize the  board  
clearinghouse  to reduce existing environmental or other
regulatory requirements.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  
  SECTION 1.  Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 25560) 

  SECTION 1.  Section 65040.15 is added to the Government Code, to
read:
   65040.15.  (a) The State Clearinghouse, consistent with the
authority granted pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 65040 shall,
upon request, facilitate the development of renewable electricity
generation facilities by coordinating the orderly evaluation of the
impact of public and private actions on the environmental quality of
the state.
   (b) For purposes of this section, "renewable electricity
generation facilities" includes all renewable energy facilities
except geothermal energy facilities.
   (c) To accomplish the purpose of this section, the State
Clearinghouse may convene appropriate state, regional, or local
agencies for the purpose of streamlining regulatory requirements and
processes.  Where possible, agencies, boards, and commissions shall
work together to develop project specific timelines, processes, and
mitigation measures.  A mitigation measure recommended by one
regulatory agency, board, or commission shall not negate a
recommendation of another regulatory agency, board, or commission.
   (d) State agencies, departments, commissions, or boards shall
staff meetings with staff of sufficient background, knowledge, and
authority for the meeting to accomplish its goals.
   (e) Appropriate federal regulatory agencies, departments, and
commissions shall be invited to participate in meetings.
   (f) Nothing in this section reduces, or authorizes the State
Clearinghouse to reduce, existing environmental or other regulatory
requirements.   is added to Division 15 of the Public
Resources Code, to read:

      CHAPTER 6.6. Energy Independence Board

   25560.  (a) There is within the Office of Planning and Research
the Energy Independence Board.
   (b) The board shall facilitate the development of electricity
generation facilities.
   25560.1.  For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions
apply:
   (a) "Board" means the Energy Independence Board.
   (b) "Electricity generation facilities" includes facilities for
all sources of electricity, including renewable energy and
distributed generation facilities, that are under 50 megawatts.
   25560.2.  (a) The Director of the State Clearinghouse shall be the
chair of the board.
   (b) The board shall consist of a representative from each of the
following:
   (1) Air Resources Board.
   (2) California Environmental Protection Agency.
   (3) Department of Fish and Game.
   (4) Integrated Waste Management Board.
   (5) Resources Agency.
   (6) State Energy Resources Conservation and Development
Commission.
   (7) State Water Quality Control Board.
   25560.3.  The focus of the board shall be on streamlining
regulatory requirements and processes.  Where possible, agencies,
boards and commissions shall work together to develop project
specific timelines, processes, and mitigation measures.  No
mitigation measure recommended by one agency, board, or commission
shall negatively impact another regulatory agency, board, or
commission.
   25560.4.  State agencies, departments, commissions, and other
boards shall staff the board with staff of sufficient background,
knowledge, and authority for the board to accomplish its mission.
   25560.5.  Appropriate federal regulatory agencies, departments,
and commissions shall be invited to participate with the board.
   25560.6.  Local governments, nonprofit organizations, and
businesses may apply to the board for assistance in improving the
coordination of state entities related to developing new and
expanding existing electricity generation facilities in California.
   25560.7.  Nothing in this chapter reduces or authorizes the board
to reduce, existing environmental or other regulatory requirements.