BILL ANALYSIS 1
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER
Senator Sheila Kuehl, Chair
2005-2006 Regular Session
BILL NO: AB 515
AUTHOR: Richman
AMENDED: May 26, 2005
FISCAL: Yes HEARING DATE:June 21, 2005
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT:Dennis O'Connor
SUBJECT: State Water Project: Solar photovoltaic
panels and systems.
Summary: This bill would authorize the Department of
Water Resources (DWR) to establish a program to lease space
above State Water Project (SWP) conveyance facilities, such
as aqueducts, to private entities for installing solar
panels and generating electricity from those panels.
Existing Law:
Under existing law, DWR has the authority to lease or rent
SWP rights of way, easements, or property. The law further
specifies that to the extent the proceeds from such leases
exceed DWR's costs, DWR must use proceeds for SWP purposes.
Under existing law, it is state policy to promote the
development and use of renewable energy sources, including
photovoltaic solar panels. Existing law also requires that
no later than January 1, 2007, solar energy equipment is to
be installed on all state buildings and state parking
facilities, where feasible.
Proposed Law:
This bill would authorize DWR to establish a program to
lease space above SWP conveyance facilities, such as
aqueducts, to private entities, for the installation of
solar panels and to generate electricity from those panels.
DWR, upon request, would be required to evaluate proposals
for installing solar photovoltaic panels and related
systems for the generation and transfer of electricity.
A proposal submitted to the department for
evaluation shall include, but need not be limited to, an
engineering study of the proposed solar photovoltaic
panels and related systems.
The costs of the engineering study and the
department's evaluation shall be paid by the person or
entity making the request.
DWR would be authorized to negotiate any level of
compensation that is equal to, or greater than, the cost to
the department of meeting its obligations under the
agreement.
Arguments in Support:
According to the Author, "California has a long-standing
policy to maintain a diversified energy portfolio.
Advancements in solar generation technologies, which
increased efficiencies and lowered costs, have made solar a
viable cost effective generation alternative - particularly
because solar's peaking generation capacity correlates well
with utilities' daily load patterns."
"AB 515 will encourage the deployment of solar generation
panels along the State Water Project, which includes about
660 miles of open canals and pipelines. Many of those
hundreds of miles could be suitable for solar electricity
generation portfolio. Not only would such a project
attract investment and jobs to California, but it would
also reduce evaporation from the canals and minimize
environmental drawbacks associated with 'solar farms.'"
Arguments in Opposition: None
Comments:
Is This Bill Necessary? Under existing law, DWR already
has the authority to lease airspace over the SWP aqueducts
for photovoltaic, or any other purposes.
Related Bills:
SB 543 (Margett) - would establish an encroachment permit
process for the Department of Water Resources' State Water
Project. Passed Senate 40-0
AB 426 (Richman) (2003) - Principle difference from the
current bill is that AB 426 would have required, not
authorized, DWR to establish a lease program for solar
power. Held in Senate Appropriations.
SUPPORT:
Environmental Entrepreneurs
Natural Resources Defense Council
Northern California Community Technologies
OPPOSITION:
None received