BILL ANALYSIS
AB 515
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 515 (Richman)
As Amended June 23, 2005
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |78-0 |(May 31, 2005) |SENATE: |34-1 |(September 1, |
| | | | | |2005) |
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Original Committee Reference: U. & C.
SUMMARY : Permits the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to
establish a program to allow private entities to install solar
photovoltaic (PV) panels above or adjacent to the State Water
Project (SWP) and generate electricity from those panels.
The Senate amendments add that private entities could lease
space adjacent to, in addition to above, SWP, and include
additional water-quality related criteria in the required
engineering study.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill permitted DWR to lease
space above SWP and required an engineering study of proposed PV
projects.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill would require the costs of
DWR's evaluation to be paid by the requesting person or entity.
COMMENTS : According to the author, the purpose of this bill is
to conserve resources and promote projects that further that
interest. Benefits include generating clean energy, reducing
evaporation from the canals, and attracting investment to
California.
SWP extends more than 660 miles and originates on tributaries of
the Feather River and extends down the Sacramento River, through
the Delta and San Joaquin Valley and over the Tehachapi
Mountains into Pyramid and Castaic lakes in Southern California.
DWR has leased space to wind energy producers to install
facilities in the Altamont area. DWR also negotiated an
agreement with a telecommunications company to use SWP
right-of-way to install a fiber optic cable in exchange for
in-kind communications and surveillance services.
AB 515
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Analysis Prepared by : Gina Mandy / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083
FN: 0012173