CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 961Introduced by Assembly Member ReyesFebruary 21, 2019 An act to add Section 383 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to energy. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 961, as introduced, Reyes. Energy programs and projects: nonenergy benefits.Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Pursuant to existing law, the commission supervises various energy efficiency, renewable energy resource, self- and distributed-generation, and demand response programs.This bill would require the commission to (1) establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs, (2) meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects, (3) give preference to producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities, as defined, and (4) track and the nonenergy benefits produced in energy programs and report those benefits during program evaluations.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Unrecognized nonenergy benefits in cost-effectiveness tests employed by the Public Utilities Commission devalue important community benefits of energy projects and discourage beneficial investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities.(b) Nonenergy benefits represent the array of diverse impacts of energy programs and projects beyond the generation, conservation, and transportation of energy. Nonenergy benefits include local job creation, economic development, increased property values, educational opportunities, improved public health, improved air quality, reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, lowered customer energy costs, increased reliable and safe access to energy services, avoided homelessness, improved fire safety, expanded ownership of assets, access to new technologies, and a sense of community pride.(c) Prioritizing nonenergy benefits produces greater benefits to all ratepayers by increasing the societal benefits produced by public funds. Recognizing, tracking, and promoting these benefits supports investments essential to Californias transition to a clean energy economy.SEC. 2. Section 383 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:383. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Disadvantanged community means a community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.(2) Low-income community means a community within a census tract or equivalent geographic area defined by the United States Census Bureau in which median household incomes are at or below either of the following levels:(A) Eighty percent of the statewide median income.(B) The applicable low-income threshold listed in the state income limits updated by the Department of Housing and Community Development and filed with the Office of Administrative Law pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.(b) The commission shall do all of the following:(1) Establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs.(2) Meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 961Introduced by Assembly Member ReyesFebruary 21, 2019 An act to add Section 383 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to energy. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 961, as introduced, Reyes. Energy programs and projects: nonenergy benefits.Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Pursuant to existing law, the commission supervises various energy efficiency, renewable energy resource, self- and distributed-generation, and demand response programs.This bill would require the commission to (1) establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs, (2) meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects, (3) give preference to producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities, as defined, and (4) track and the nonenergy benefits produced in energy programs and report those benefits during program evaluations.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill No. 961
Introduced by Assembly Member ReyesFebruary 21, 2019
Introduced by Assembly Member Reyes
February 21, 2019
An act to add Section 383 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to energy.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 961, as introduced, Reyes. Energy programs and projects: nonenergy benefits.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Pursuant to existing law, the commission supervises various energy efficiency, renewable energy resource, self- and distributed-generation, and demand response programs.This bill would require the commission to (1) establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs, (2) meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects, (3) give preference to producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities, as defined, and (4) track and the nonenergy benefits produced in energy programs and report those benefits during program evaluations.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Pursuant to existing law, the commission supervises various energy efficiency, renewable energy resource, self- and distributed-generation, and demand response programs.
This bill would require the commission to (1) establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs, (2) meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects, (3) give preference to producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities, as defined, and (4) track and the nonenergy benefits produced in energy programs and report those benefits during program evaluations.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Unrecognized nonenergy benefits in cost-effectiveness tests employed by the Public Utilities Commission devalue important community benefits of energy projects and discourage beneficial investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities.(b) Nonenergy benefits represent the array of diverse impacts of energy programs and projects beyond the generation, conservation, and transportation of energy. Nonenergy benefits include local job creation, economic development, increased property values, educational opportunities, improved public health, improved air quality, reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, lowered customer energy costs, increased reliable and safe access to energy services, avoided homelessness, improved fire safety, expanded ownership of assets, access to new technologies, and a sense of community pride.(c) Prioritizing nonenergy benefits produces greater benefits to all ratepayers by increasing the societal benefits produced by public funds. Recognizing, tracking, and promoting these benefits supports investments essential to Californias transition to a clean energy economy.SEC. 2. Section 383 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:383. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Disadvantanged community means a community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.(2) Low-income community means a community within a census tract or equivalent geographic area defined by the United States Census Bureau in which median household incomes are at or below either of the following levels:(A) Eighty percent of the statewide median income.(B) The applicable low-income threshold listed in the state income limits updated by the Department of Housing and Community Development and filed with the Office of Administrative Law pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.(b) The commission shall do all of the following:(1) Establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs.(2) Meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Unrecognized nonenergy benefits in cost-effectiveness tests employed by the Public Utilities Commission devalue important community benefits of energy projects and discourage beneficial investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities.(b) Nonenergy benefits represent the array of diverse impacts of energy programs and projects beyond the generation, conservation, and transportation of energy. Nonenergy benefits include local job creation, economic development, increased property values, educational opportunities, improved public health, improved air quality, reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, lowered customer energy costs, increased reliable and safe access to energy services, avoided homelessness, improved fire safety, expanded ownership of assets, access to new technologies, and a sense of community pride.(c) Prioritizing nonenergy benefits produces greater benefits to all ratepayers by increasing the societal benefits produced by public funds. Recognizing, tracking, and promoting these benefits supports investments essential to Californias transition to a clean energy economy.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Unrecognized nonenergy benefits in cost-effectiveness tests employed by the Public Utilities Commission devalue important community benefits of energy projects and discourage beneficial investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities.(b) Nonenergy benefits represent the array of diverse impacts of energy programs and projects beyond the generation, conservation, and transportation of energy. Nonenergy benefits include local job creation, economic development, increased property values, educational opportunities, improved public health, improved air quality, reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, lowered customer energy costs, increased reliable and safe access to energy services, avoided homelessness, improved fire safety, expanded ownership of assets, access to new technologies, and a sense of community pride.(c) Prioritizing nonenergy benefits produces greater benefits to all ratepayers by increasing the societal benefits produced by public funds. Recognizing, tracking, and promoting these benefits supports investments essential to Californias transition to a clean energy economy.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
### SECTION 1.
(a) Unrecognized nonenergy benefits in cost-effectiveness tests employed by the Public Utilities Commission devalue important community benefits of energy projects and discourage beneficial investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
(b) Nonenergy benefits represent the array of diverse impacts of energy programs and projects beyond the generation, conservation, and transportation of energy. Nonenergy benefits include local job creation, economic development, increased property values, educational opportunities, improved public health, improved air quality, reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, lowered customer energy costs, increased reliable and safe access to energy services, avoided homelessness, improved fire safety, expanded ownership of assets, access to new technologies, and a sense of community pride.
(c) Prioritizing nonenergy benefits produces greater benefits to all ratepayers by increasing the societal benefits produced by public funds. Recognizing, tracking, and promoting these benefits supports investments essential to Californias transition to a clean energy economy.
SEC. 2. Section 383 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:383. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Disadvantanged community means a community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.(2) Low-income community means a community within a census tract or equivalent geographic area defined by the United States Census Bureau in which median household incomes are at or below either of the following levels:(A) Eighty percent of the statewide median income.(B) The applicable low-income threshold listed in the state income limits updated by the Department of Housing and Community Development and filed with the Office of Administrative Law pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.(b) The commission shall do all of the following:(1) Establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs.(2) Meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects.
SEC. 2. Section 383 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
383. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Disadvantanged community means a community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.(2) Low-income community means a community within a census tract or equivalent geographic area defined by the United States Census Bureau in which median household incomes are at or below either of the following levels:(A) Eighty percent of the statewide median income.(B) The applicable low-income threshold listed in the state income limits updated by the Department of Housing and Community Development and filed with the Office of Administrative Law pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.(b) The commission shall do all of the following:(1) Establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs.(2) Meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects.
383. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Disadvantanged community means a community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.(2) Low-income community means a community within a census tract or equivalent geographic area defined by the United States Census Bureau in which median household incomes are at or below either of the following levels:(A) Eighty percent of the statewide median income.(B) The applicable low-income threshold listed in the state income limits updated by the Department of Housing and Community Development and filed with the Office of Administrative Law pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.(b) The commission shall do all of the following:(1) Establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs.(2) Meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects.
383. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Disadvantanged community means a community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.(2) Low-income community means a community within a census tract or equivalent geographic area defined by the United States Census Bureau in which median household incomes are at or below either of the following levels:(A) Eighty percent of the statewide median income.(B) The applicable low-income threshold listed in the state income limits updated by the Department of Housing and Community Development and filed with the Office of Administrative Law pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.(b) The commission shall do all of the following:(1) Establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs.(2) Meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects.
383. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) Disadvantanged community means a community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2) Low-income community means a community within a census tract or equivalent geographic area defined by the United States Census Bureau in which median household incomes are at or below either of the following levels:
(A) Eighty percent of the statewide median income.
(B) The applicable low-income threshold listed in the state income limits updated by the Department of Housing and Community Development and filed with the Office of Administrative Law pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) The commission shall do all of the following:
(1) Establish common definitions of nonenergy benefits and attempt to determine consistent values for use in all energy programs.
(2) Meaningfully consider and prioritize producing nonenergy benefits in clean energy programs and projects.