Solid Waste

SB 419 (Simitian) – Support 
As Introduced February 16, 2011

SB 419, by Senator Joe Simitian, makes a simple change to the sharps collection program. This bill would require pharmaceutical manufacturers, currently required to create a collection program for sharps (e.g. syringes, pen needles), to submit their collection program reports to Cal Recycle in an electronic format. CSAC supports this bill because is would provide patients that self-inject and use these sharps with readily accessible information that identifies what pharmaceutical manufacturers are doing to manage their sharps waste. This bill passed out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

AB 1149 (Gordon) – Support
As Introduced February 18, 2011

AB 1149, by Assembly Member Richard Gordon, would extend the sunset date of a provision of law that allows the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to expend up to $10 million from the Beverage Container Recycling Fund, or Bottle Bill, to provide market development payments for empty plastic beverage containers until January 1, 2017. The bill would also refine the program to encourage more instate development of plastic bottle recycling facilities. CSAC supports this bill because it extends the sunset for these funds that provide encouragement for recyclers to recycle and re-use in California instead of shipping recyclables out of state. This bill has been referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee

Energy

SB 790 (Leno) – Request for Comments
As Introduced February 18, 2011

SB 790, by Senator Mark Leno, would amend the statutes that authorize local governments to implement Community Choice Aggregation, a program that allows communities to pool, or aggregate, the electric load of their residents, businesses and other institutions in order to procure and generate electricity on their behalf (2002 Stats., ch. 838). California law allows for community choice aggregation; however, several issues have prevented local governments and their utility partners from coming to agreement on and implementing CCA. SB 790 would provide legislative clarification, greater market parity and more clearly defined rules for Community Choice Aggregation. 
This bill would:

• Establish a utility code of conduct.
• Require that the CPUC expedite a complaint process for disputes.
• Include performance standards in the service agreement that governs the business and operational relationship between the CCA and the electrical corporation.
• Expand entities that are permitted to undertake community choice aggregation and the ability of a city or country to authorize, by affirmative resolution, another entity authorized to become a CCA to act as the aggregator on its behalf.
• Revise certain cost requirements to ensure any surcharges by utilities are reasonable.
• Reduce the current requirement from three years to six months that customers are obligated to stay with utility service once the opt-out period ends.
• Clarify that an electrical corporation shall not terminate the services of a community choice aggregator unless authorized by a vote of the CPUC.

This bill will be heard in the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee on April 28, 2011.

SB 216 (Yee) – Request for Comments
As Introduced February 9, 2011

SB 216, by Senator Leland Yee, would require the Public Utilities Commissions (CPUC) to evaluate current practices and to determine safety standards with respect to proximity of pipelines carrying liquid materials to Commission- regulated gas pipeline facilities. This bill would also require the installation of automatic shut-off or remotely controlled valves on certain pipelines. This bill will be heard on April 5th in the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. 

Water Board Draft Industrial Storm Water General Permit

Public Comment Hearing – Tuesday, March 29

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) is holding a public hearing to accept comments on the draft Industrial Storm Water General Permit. The hearing is scheduled for March 29, 2011, 9:00 a.m., and will take place in the Joe Serna Jr./Cal-EPA Headquarters Building, Coastal Hearing Room, 1001 I Street, 2nd Floor in Sacramento. Written comments on the draft permit will be accepted until noon on Monday, April 18. Details regarding the permit and the hearing are available on the State Water Board website.

In addition to impacting various private sector activities and schools, the proposed general permit would affect Department of Public Works storage yards where vehicles are being maintained, recycling facilities, compost facilities, wastewater treatment plans, and landfills. Counties are encouraged to review the draft permit and submit comments by the April 18 deadline.