BILL NUMBER: AB 2685	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 20, 2004
	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   Office of
Planning  and Research to facilitate the  development of
renewable electricity generation facilities, as defined 
 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process for
renewable energy generation facilities  .  The bill would
authorize the  clearinghouse   Office of
Planning and Research  to convene appropriate state, regional,
or local agencies for the purpose of streamlining  regulatory
requirements and processes   the CEQA review process
 .  The bill would not authorize the  clearinghouse
  Office of Planning and Research  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  
Office of Planning and Research  , 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 .
   (c)   California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
(Div. 13 (commencing with Sec. 21000) P.R.C.) review process for
renewable energy generation facilities.
   (b)  To accomplish the purpose of this section, the 
State Clearinghouse   Office of Planning and Research
 may convene appropriate state, regional, or local agencies for
the purpose of streamlining  regulatory requirements and
processes   the CEQA review process  .  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)  
   (c)  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)  
   (d)  Appropriate federal regulatory agencies, departments,
and commissions shall be invited to participate in meetings.

   (f)  
   (e)  Nothing in this section reduces, or authorizes the
 State Clearinghouse   Office of Planning and
Research  to reduce, existing environmental or other regulatory
requirements.