BILL NUMBER: SB 189INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Hueso FEBRUARY 9, 2015 An act to add Section 12897 to the Government Code, relating to clean energy development. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 189, as introduced, Hueso. Clean Energy and Low-Carbon Economic and Jobs Growth Blue Ribbon Committee. Existing law requires specified state agencies to prepare and submit to the Secretary for Environmental Protection, specified information relating to the state agency's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including a list of measures adopted and implemented by the agency to meet GHG emission reduction targets, as defined, and a status report on GHG emissions reduced as a result of these measures. Existing law further requires the California Environmental Protection Agency to provide that information on its Internet Web site in the form of a state agency GHG emission reduction report card. This bill would create the Clean Energy and Low-Carbon Economic and Jobs Growth Blue Ribbon Committee, comprised of 7 members appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Senate Committee on Rules, as provided. The bill would require the committee to advise state agencies on the most effective ways to expend clean energy and GHG related funds and implement policies in order to maximize California's economic and employment benefits. The bill would also require the committee to provide an annual update to the Governor and the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature on its activities. 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. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) Numerous analyses have shown that California's world leadership in clean energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions law, and policy have led to major employment and economic benefits as well as to significant environmental and public health benefits. (1) In December 2014, the Advanced Energy Economic Institute issued a report entitled "California Advanced Energy Economic Survey," which showed that state advanced energy policies have created over 430,000 jobs, an increase in 5 percent over 2013. (2) That report further showed that California was number one in installed solar capacity and solar jobs, number one in total advanced energy investment, number one in electric vehicle sales, and number two in energy efficiency. (b) In order to ensure that California's clean energy and climate programs are optimized for maximum economic benefit and job creation, the State Air Resources Board, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, and the Public Utilities Commission have all created advisory committees to help them better understand the implications of their clean energy and climate policies. (c) The purpose of this act is to create a single independent blue ribbon committee to provide advice to these and other agencies on the most effective ways to maximize California's economic benefits and jobs growth via actions and investments in a cleaner, low-carbon economy. SEC. 2. Section 12897 is added to the Government Code, to read: 12897. (a) The Clean Energy and Low-Carbon Economic and Jobs Growth Blue Ribbon Committee is hereby created. (b) The committee shall consist of the following members: (1) Five members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate. (2) One member each appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate Rules Committee on Rules. (c) The committee shall consist solely of persons with expertise in economic, financial, and policy aspects of clean energy economic growth and job creation. (d) The committee shall advise state agencies on the most effective ways to expend clean energy and greenhouse gas related funds and to implement policies in order to maximize Californias economic and employment benefits. (e) The committee shall provide an annual update to the Governor and the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature on its activities. (f) Nothing in this section shall affect the existing authority or responsibilities of any state agency.