Bill Text: CA AB1257 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Energy: State Energy Resources Conservation and
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-10-11 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 749, Statutes of 2013. [AB1257 Detail]
Download: California-2013-AB1257-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 1257 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
CHAPTER 749
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 11, 2013
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 11, 2013
PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 11, 2013
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 12, 2013
AMENDED IN SENATE SEPTEMBER 10, 2013
AMENDED IN SENATE SEPTEMBER 5, 2013
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 25, 2013
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 6, 2013
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Bocanegra
FEBRUARY 22, 2013
An act to add Section 25303.5 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to natural gas.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1257, Bocanegra. Energy: State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission: natural gas.
The Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Act establishes the State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission, known as the Energy Commission, and
requires the commission to prepare a biennial integrated energy
policy report containing specified information related to major
energy trends and issues facing the state, as well as a biennial
energy policy review. The act requires the commission to certify
sufficient sites and related facilities that are required to provide
a supply of electricity sufficient to accommodate projected demand
for power statewide.
This bill would require the Energy Commission, beginning November
1, 2015, and every 4 years thereafter, concurrent with the
preparation of the integrated energy policy report, to identify
strategies to maximize the benefits obtained from natural gas as an
energy source, as specified.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 25303.5 is added to the Public Resources Code,
to read:
25303.5. (a) This section shall be known and may be cited, as the
Natural Gas Act.
(b) Beginning November 1, 2015, and every four years thereafter,
the commission shall, with the integrated energy policy report
prepared pursuant to Section 25302, identify strategies to maximize
the benefits obtained from natural gas, including biomethane for
purposes of this section, as an energy source, helping the state
realize the environmental and cost benefits afforded by natural gas.
As part of this report, the commission, at a minimum, shall identify
strategies and options for each of the following:
(1) Making the best use of natural gas as a transportation fuel,
as appropriate, including for movement of freight, vessels, mass
transit, and other commercial and passenger vehicle use and
identifying methods to develop natural gas refueling infrastructure.
(2) Determining the role of natural gas-fired generation as part
of a resource portfolio, including, but not limited to, combined heat
and power, and the impact of that role on meeting greenhouse gas
targets.
(3) Taking the best advantage of natural gas as a low-emission
resource, including potential zero and near-zero greenhouse gas
emissions, natural gas, and biogas options, taking into account the
impact on electric system operations.
(4) Optimizing the role of natural gas as a flexible and
convenient end use energy source, including the efficient use of
natural gas for heating, water heating, cooling, cooking, engine
operation, and other end uses, and the optimization of appliances for
these uses.
(5) Identifying effective methods by which the electric and
natural gas industries can facilitate implementation of any of the
strategies identified in this section.
(6) Determining the extent to which a long-term policy is needed
to ensure adequate infrastructure and storage and developing
strategies for pursuing additional infrastructure development to
maintain or enhance pipeline and system reliability, including
increased natural gas storage. In developing those strategies, the
commission shall consider needed policies to protect against system
capacity constraints, minimize system leakage and related emissions,
mitigate investment risk associated with the long-term investment in
infrastructure in an evolving energy market, and identify factors
that could limit the ability to receive maximum benefits from natural
gas as an energy resource.
(7) Determining the role that natural gas can play in the
development of zero net energy buildings, as appropriate.
(8) Optimizing the methods by which the pursuit of these
strategies can facilitate jobs development in the private sector,
particularly in distressed areas.
(9) Optimizing the methods by which state and federal policy can
facilitate any of the proposed strategies.
(10) Evaluating the incremental beneficial and adverse economic
cost and environmental impacts of proposed strategies, including
life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions from production, transportation,
and use of natural gas, based on authoritative, peer-reviewed, and
science-based analysis or in consultation with the State Air
Resources Board.
(c) In developing the strategies described in subdivision (b), the
commission shall consult with the Public Utilities Commission, the
State Water Resources Control Board, the Independent System Operator,
the State Air Resources Board, the Department of Oil, Gas, and
Geothermal Resources, and the Department of Conservation to obtain
relevant input. The report is intended to assist in establishing
state policy and does not independently change any statute,
regulation, or regulatory decision.
