BILL NUMBER: AB 2685	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 10, 2004
	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   12812.4
 to the Government Code, relating to  energy resources
  vehicles  .


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2685, as amended, Oropeza.   Energy resources:  State
Clearinghouse   Vehicles:  fuel conservation measures
 . 
   Existing law prescribes the powers and duties of the Governor, the
California Environmental Protection Agency, and the State Energy
Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
   This bill would require the Governor, utilizing the staff and
resources of the agency and the commission, to launch a public
education campaign informing Californians about ways motorists can
reduce their demand for gasoline and diesel fuel, and save money.
 
   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 Office of Planning and
Research to facilitate the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) review process for renewable energy generation facilities.
The bill would authorize the Office of Planning and Research to
convene appropriate state, regional, or local agencies for the
purpose of streamlining the CEQA review process.  The bill would not
authorize the 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 

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares the following:
   (a) There are more than 26 million motor vehicles registered in
California.
   (b) Californians consume more than 18 billion gallons of motor
vehicle fuel annually.
   (c) A study adopted by the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) and the State Air
Resources Board (Air Resources Board) projects that demand for onroad
gasoline fuel will increase by about 1.6 percent annually between
now and 2020; that onroad diesel demand will increase by about 2.4
percent annually between now and 2020; and that the number of motor
vehicles that Californians drive is growing at a rate greater than
the population growth.
   (d) California's refineries are operating at near capacity and
California is importing more gasoline and diesel fuel annually to
meet this growing demand.
   (e) The combination of greater dependence on imported fuels and
vulnerability to refinery outages exposes California's economy to
more frequent and higher fuel price spikes.
   (f) Political instability in some oil-rich nations, combined with
OPEC actions, have raised petroleum prices to new levels.
   (g) California gasoline prices are currently among the highest in
the country.
  SEC. 2.  Section 12812.4 is added to the Government Code, to read:

   12812.4.  (a) The Governor, utilizing the staff and resources of
the California Environmental Protection Agency and the State Energy
Resources Conservation and Development Commission, shall launch a
public education campaign informing Californians about ways motorists
can reduce their demand for gasoline and diesel fuel, and save
money.
   (b) The campaign described in subdivision (a) shall include, but
is not limited to, information about saving gasoline by properly
inflating tires, buying low-rolling-resistance tires when replacing
original tires, properly maintaining oil and air filters, and using
public transit, bicycling, walking, carpooling, and careful motor
vehicle route planning.    Code, to read:
   65040.15.  (a) The Office of Planning and Research, consistent
with the authority granted pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section
65040 shall, upon request, facilitate the 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 Office of
Planning and Research may convene appropriate state, regional, or
local agencies for the purpose of streamlining 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.
   (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.
   (d) Appropriate federal regulatory agencies, departments, and
commissions shall be invited to participate in meetings.
   (e) Nothing in this section reduces, or authorizes the Office of
Planning and Research to reduce, existing environmental or other
regulatory requirements.