Bill Text: CA AB961 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Energy programs and projects: nonenergy benefits.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2020-02-03 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB961 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB961-Introduced.html


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill No. 961

Introduced by Assembly Member Reyes

February 21, 2019

An act to add Section 383 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to energy.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 961, as introduced, Reyes. Energy programs and projects: nonenergy benefits.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Pursuant to existing law, the commission supervises various energy efficiency, renewable energy resource, self- and distributed-generation, and demand response programs.
This bill would require the commission to (1) establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs, (2) meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects, (3) give preference to producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities, as defined, and (4) track and the nonenergy benefits produced in energy programs and report those benefits during program evaluations.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Unrecognized nonenergy benefits in cost-effectiveness tests employed by the Public Utilities Commission devalue important community benefits of energy projects and discourage beneficial investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
(b) Nonenergy benefits represent the array of diverse impacts of energy programs and projects beyond the generation, conservation, and transportation of energy. Nonenergy benefits include local job creation, economic development, increased property values, educational opportunities, improved public health, improved air quality, reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, lowered customer energy costs, increased reliable and safe access to energy services, avoided homelessness, improved fire safety, expanded ownership of assets, access to new technologies, and a sense of community pride.
(c) Prioritizing nonenergy benefits produces greater benefits to all ratepayers by increasing the societal benefits produced by public funds. Recognizing, tracking, and promoting these benefits supports investments essential to California’s transition to a clean energy economy.

SEC. 2.

 Section 383 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:

383.
 (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Disadvantanged community” means a community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2) “Low-income community” means a community within a census tract or equivalent geographic area defined by the United States Census Bureau in which median household incomes are at or below either of the following levels:
(A) Eighty percent of the statewide median income.
(B) The applicable low-income threshold listed in the state income limits updated by the Department of Housing and Community Development and filed with the Office of Administrative Law pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) The commission shall do all of the following:
(1) Establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs.
(2) Meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects.

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