BILL NUMBER: AB 45INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Blakeslee DECEMBER 1, 2008 An act relating to energy. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 45, as introduced, Blakeslee. Distributed generation: small wind energy systems. The California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program requires that a retail seller of electricity, as defined, purchase a specified minimum percentage of electricity generated by eligible renewable energy resources, as defined, in any given year as a specified percentage of total kilowatthours sold to retail end-use customers each calendar year (renewables portfolio standard). The renewables portfolio standard requires each retail seller to increase its total procurement of eligible renewable energy resources by at least an additional 1% of retail sales per year so that 20% of its retail sales are procured from eligible renewable energy resources no later than December 31, 2010. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to encourage local agencies to support the state's ambitious renewable energy procurement requirements by developing and adopting ordinances that facilitate the installation of distributed generation small wind energy systems. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated 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) Wind energy is an abundant, renewable, and nonpolluting energy resource. (b) Wind energy, when converted to electricity, reduces our dependence on nonrenewable energy resources, reduces air and water pollution that result from conventional sources burning fossil fuels, and reduces emissions of greenhouse gases. (c) Distributed generation small wind energy systems also enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered by the electrical grid, reduce peak power demands, increase in-state electricity generation, diversify the state's energy supply portfolio, and make the electricity supply market more competitive by promoting consumer choice. (d) Small wind energy systems designed for onsite home, farm, and small commercial use are recognized by the Legislature and the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission as an excellent technology to help achieve the goals of increased in-state electricity generation, reduced demand on the state electrical grid, increased consumer energy independence, and nonpolluting electricity generation. (e) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage local agencies to support the state's ambitious renewable energy procurement requirements by developing and adopting ordinances that facilitate the installation of small wind energy systems.