Energy

AB 2145 (Bradford) - Oppose
As Amended April 10, 2014 

AB 2145, by Assembly Member Bradford, would make changes to the process for how community choice aggregator’s (CCA) form. This bill would require an “opt-in” process for any CCA formed after January 1, 2015, as opposed to current law, which requires an “opt-out” process for customers within a CCA. We view AB 2145 as inconsistent with the overarching premise of “local control” because it would establish a new process that seems intent on preventing local governments from purchasing power on behalf of their residents via CCA. AB 2145 is scheduled to be heard on Monday, June 23, 2014 by the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee.

Solar Permits

AB 2188 (Muratsuchi) - Oppose
As Amended June 18, 2014

AB 2188, by Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi, would require cities and counties to expedite permitting for rooftop solar of up to 10kW. Specifically, the bill would require cities and counties to adopt an ordinance to create an expedited permitting process for rooftop solar that would include a checklist of all requirements in which small rooftop solar energy systems must comply. All applications that meet the requirements in the checklist shall be permitted in an “over-the-counter” manner. In addition, the proposal would require jurisdictions to complete an inspection within five days of the request. The language does limit the rooftop solar systems to those that are under 10kW, and conform to state fire, structural, electrical and other building codes. 

CSAC, along with RCRC and UCC, is opposing this bill. AB 2188 would create an unfunded mandate and jeopardize city and county building department’s ability to thoroughly review plans to ensure that they do not pose a safety risk to permittees. AB 2188 will be heard in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee on June 25, 2014.

Solid Waste

SB 498 (Lara) – Support
As Amended January 27, 2014

SB 498, by Senator Ricardo Lara, is the CSAC/ LA County co-sponsored measure on conversion technology. The bill will be heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Monday, June 24th and in the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on June 17th. CSAC, LA County and the author’s office have been working with the Administration on amendments and hope to come to resolution shortly. These amendments seek to assert more control over biomass, both traditional and CT by requiring facilities to report to Cal Recycle information on what feedstock they are accepting and information regarding who supplies various materials. We are currently evaluating these amendments and in discussions with stakeholders, including the Committee consultants.

AB 1826 (Chesbro) – Support if Amended
As Amended April 22, 2014

AB 1826, by Assembly Member Wes Chesbro, would establish a commercial organics recycling program in California. CSAC has been working extensively with the author, Administration and stakeholders in developing this legislation, ensuring that is workable for local governments. Specifically, this bill would require large generators of organic waste to arrange for recycling services. The bill also requires local governments to develop an organics program, providing outreach and education to effected entities. CSAC has been actively involved in negotiations on the bill over the last 6 months and currently have a support- if- amended position on the bill. The latest draft includes a rural exemption for jurisdictions within a rural county, defined as a county with a population of 100,000 & under. This is the most substantive change; however, we are in the process of negotiating several smaller, finer points. The bill will be heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on June 25, 2014.

AB 1594 (Williams) – Concerns
As Amended April 21, 2014

AB 1594, by Assembly Member Das Williams, would eliminate the solid waste diversion credit for green waste used as Alternative Daily Cover (ADC) at a solid waste landfill. ADC is the cover material other than earthen material placed on the surface of the active face of a solid waste landfill at the end of each operating day to control vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging. Cal Recycle has approved a list of acceptable ADC materials, which includes green material, such as lawn and tree trimmings. Currently, jurisdictions receive solid waste diversion credit for the use of green material as ADC. This bill would eliminate the solid waste diversion credit for the use of green waste as ADC at landfills by 2020. While CSAC has traditionally opposed bills that remove diversion credit for ADC, we recognize that counties will not need this tool to reach their 50% diversion in 2020. CSAC had a concerns position with the bill based the $1.40 fee disposal fee that would be imposed on ADC after 2020. An exemption from this fee has since been included in the bill. In addition, the author is accepting amendments that would allow jurisdictions (mostly cities) that would fall below 50% without ADC diversion credit to be able to receive an extension and create a plan to meet their 50% diversion requirements. Based on these amendments, CSAC will be removing our concerns position from the bill and move to a neutral position.