Bill Text: CA SB551 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Energy: State Energy Resources Conservation and
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-01 - Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [SB551 Detail]
Download: California-2009-SB551-Introduced.html
BILL NUMBER: SB 551 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Senator Strickland
FEBRUARY 27, 2009
An act to amend Section 25501 of, to add Section 25227 to, and to
repeal and add Section 25107 of, the Public Resources Code, relating
to energy.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 551, as introduced, Strickland. Energy: State Energy Resources
Conservation and Development Commission authority: transmission
lines: certification: energy policy.
Existing law gives the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) the exclusive power to
certify thermal powerplants and electric transmission lines. A person
proposing to construct a thermal powerplant or an electric
transmission line is required to obtain a certificate from the Energy
Commission. Existing law defines "electric transmission line" to be
an electric powerline that carries electricity from a thermal
powerplant located within the state to a point of junction with an
interconnected transmission system. The findings of the Energy
Commission in its certification process are binding on the Public
Utilities Commission in the process for the issuance of a certificate
of public convenience and necessity of the thermal powerplant and
electric transmission lines. Existing law requires a person to obtain
a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Public
Utilities Commission prior to the construction of an electric
powerline rated at 50 kilovolts or above.
This bill would expand "electric transmission line" to include an
electric powerline that carries electricity from any powerplant
located in the state to a point of junction with an interconnected
transmission system, an electric powerline that is rated at 200
kilovolts or above, and an electric powerline that is rated between
50 kilovolts and 200 kilovolts that is needed to support the
stability and reliability of the interconnected transmission line,
thereby giving the Energy Commission the exclusive power to certify
these electric powerlines. The bill would exempt from the
certification requirement an electric transmission line for which an
application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity has
been submitted to the Public Utilities Commission before January 1,
2010. The bill would require the Energy Commission, in consultation
with the Public Utilities Commission and other relevant agencies, to
represent the state in all federal proceedings as the representative
of the state's energy policy.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 25107 of the Public Resources Code is repealed.
25107. "Electric transmission line" means any electric powerline
carrying electric power from a thermal powerplant located within the
state to a point of junction with any interconnected transmission
system. "Electric transmission line" does not include any replacement
on the existing site of existing electric powerlines with electric
powerlines equivalent to such existing electric powerlines or the
placement of new or additional conductors, insulators, or accessories
related to such electric powerlines on supporting structures in
existence on the effective date of this division or certified
pursuant to this division.
SEC. 2. Section 25107 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
25107. (a) "Electric transmission line" means any of the
following:
(1) An electric powerline carrying electricity from a powerplant
located within the state to a point of junction with an
interconnected transmission line.
(2) An electric powerline that is rated at 200 kilovolts or above.
(3) An electric powerline that is rated between 50 kilovolts and
200 kilovolts that is needed to support the stability and reliability
of an interconnected transmission line as determined by the
commission.
(b) "Electric transmission line" does not include any replacement
on the existing site of an existing electric powerline with electric
powerlines equivalent to the existing electric powerlines or the
placement of new or additional conductors, insulators, or accessories
related to the electric powerlines on supporting structures in
existence on the effective date of this division or certified
pursuant to this division.
SEC. 3. Section 25227 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
25227. The commission shall, in consultation with the Public
Utilities Commission and other relevant agencies, represent the state
in all federal proceedings as the representative of the state's
energy policy.
SEC. 4. Section 25501 of the Public Resources Code is amended to
read:
25501. (a) This chapter does not apply to
any site or related facility for which the Public Utilities
Commission has issued a certificate of public convenience and
necessity or which that any municipal
utility has approved before January 7, 1975.
(b) This chapter does not apply to an electric transmission line
for which an application for a certificate of public convenience and
necessity has been submitted to the Public Utilities Commission
before January 1, 2010.
