BILL NUMBER: AB 2685	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 27, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 14, 2004

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Oropeza

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2004

   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:  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 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 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 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.  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.