BILL ANALYSIS AB 2098 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 24, 2000 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Carole Migden, Chairwoman AB 2098 (Migden) - As Amended: April 13, 2000 Policy Committee: TransportationVote:13-4 Utilities & Commerce 9-1 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to report, by January 1, 2002 to the Legislature and the Attorney General, on the feasibility of financing, constructing and maintaining a new pipeline, or extending an existing pipeline, to transport motor vehicle fuel from the Gulf Coast to California. FISCAL EFFECT Moderate one-time costs, about $200,000 in FY 2000-01, to the CEC to conduct the study and to report to the Legislature and the Attorney General. (Energy Resources Programs Account.) COMMENTS Rationale . The author argues that California should be exploring ways to affect either the supply of or demand for motor vehicle fuel in California. The current refinery capacity in California is such that total capacity supply just meets the ongoing demand in the state. If there is any significant interruption in this supply, such as a temporary refinery shutdown, demand outpaces supply and gasoline prices spike up. Within three years, even without any interrupted supply, demand will start to permanently outpace supply. The author believes that a pipeline that can transport motor vehicle fuel from the refining region along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico should be examined as an option for dealing with this imbalance. Analysis Prepared by : Steve Archibald / APPR. / (916)319-2081 AB 2098 Page 2