California Assembly Bill AB547

California 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/8/23
• Failed: 2/1/24

Caption

Distribution of energy resources.

Impact

By reinforcing the commission's existing responsibilities, AB 547 emphasizes the importance of assessing the nature, extent, and distribution of energy resources to effectively meet the state's needs. This bill directly impacts the operational directives of the commission, ensuring that it continues to evaluate the efficiency and wastefulness of energy use in the state. As part of its findings, the commission is tasked with producing biennial reports for the Governor and the Legislature, containing recommendations for state policies and actions relating to both traditional and alternative energy development.

Summary

Assembly Bill 547, introduced by Assembly Member Alanis, seeks to amend Section 25401 of the Public Resources Code, specifically addressing the distribution and assessment of energy resources within California. The bill mandates the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to continuously conduct various studies and data collection efforts related to energy resources, which include fossil fuels as well as renewable sources such as solar, nuclear, and geothermal energy. Notably, the amendments proposed in this bill are described as nonsubstantive changes, meaning that they are not intended to alter the substantive content of the existing law but rather to clarify or streamline the language used.

Contention

Despite being positioned as a technical fix within the legislative text, the potential implications of such amendments could lead to discussions regarding the priorities of energy resource management in California. Stakeholders might express varying opinions on whether the continuation and refinement of assessments benefit the push for more sustainable energy practices, or if it merely maintains the status quo without undertaking necessary reforms to address issues related to climate change and energy equity.