Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant Siting – CEC Hearing Delayed
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has postponed its
consideration of the CEC Hearing Advisor’s proposed decision
affirming that Section 25502.3 of the Warren–Alquist State Energy
Resources Conservation and Development Act (the Act) applies to
photovoltaic electrical generating facilities. The new hearing
date is Tuesday, March 28.
The Board of Forestry (BOF) released their latest
version of the proposed State Responsibility Area (SRA)
fee regulations last week. As you may recall, BOF pulled the
proposed regulations from consideration by the Office of
Administrative Law (OAL) earlier this month after a BOF hearing,
where public testimony was taken on the proposed regulation.
The Board of Forestry & Fire Protection met this week and
discussed the timeline and process for adopting permanent
regulations to implement the State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fire
Prevention Fee.
The CSAC Annual Meeting in San Francisco is quickly approaching!
The CSAC Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee will meet on
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the San Francisco
Hilton. Our meeting this year will focus on a panel discussion
regarding the challenges and opportunities of siting renewable
energy facilities. Speakers include experts from Butte and Yolo
County, the private sector, the Administration, and the Farm
Bureau.
The State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) is wrapping
up a series of public workshops on its draft State Policy
for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) in Riverside on
Monday, November 7. The draft policy is the result of
legislation, AB 885 by Assembly Member Hannah Beth Jackson, which
was signed into law by former Governor Gray Davis in September
2000.
The CSAC Medical Marijuana Working Group met this week to discuss
recent legislative efforts & court rulings related to the
regulation of medical marijuana.
AB 885 – Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS)
The State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) has
completed a draft State Policy for Water Quality Control for
Siting, Design, Operation, and Management of Onsite Wastewater
Treatment Systems (OWTS Policy) and a Substitute Environmental
Document for public review.
SB 515, by Senator Ellen Corbett, would create a product
stewardship program for batteries by requiring manufacturers of
household batteries to submit and implement a stewardship plan to
recycle batteries.
SB 568 (Lowenthal) – Watch
Two-Year Bill
SB 568, by Senator Alan Lowenthal, would phase out the use and
distribution of Styrofoam containers by food vendors in
California starting in 2016.
On-Site Waste Treatment Systems Proposed Policy – Public Sessions
Scheduled
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has
completed a draft State Policy for Water Quality Control for
Siting, Design, Operation, and Management of Onsite Wastewater
Treatment Systems (OWTS Policy) and a Substitute Environmental
Document (SED) for public review. A series of staff workshops are
being held in the Cities of San Luis Obispo, Redding, Santa Rosa,
and Riverside. Staff will conduct two separate sessions at each
location in order to accommodate different schedules.
SB 215 (Huff) – Support
Chapter No. 332, Statutes of 2011
The Governor has signed SB 215 by Senator Bob Huff regarding
Dreissenid Mussels. State law requires water system operators to
implement measures to prevent, eradicate or control mussel
infestations, and to prepare and implement plans if mussels are
detected. This bill would extend the sunset date of these
provisions to January 1, 2017.
The Governor has vetoed, SB 386, by Senator Tom Harmon. This bill
would have required the State Department of Parks and Recreation
to notify the public of park closures via the internet. This
notice would include information on how an interested entity
could contact the department to express their interest in
entering into a contract. In his veto message the Governor noted
that while it was a good idea, it was one that does not need a
law.
SBX1 7 (Budget Committee) – Oppose
As Amended September 1, 2011
SBX1 7, introduced yesterday by the Budget Committee, would
completely overhaul the State Responsibility Area Fee regulations
enacted by ABX1 29 – the measure that established the State
Responsibility Area (SRA) Fee for fire “prevention”
activities.
This year, the legislature has introduced a number of bills
dealing with the siting of photovoltaic facilities. The following
is a short summary of the solar-related bills that continue to
move through the process.
SB 618 (Wolk) – Request for Comments
As Amended July 6, 2011
As you will recall, the Governor signed ABX1 29 into law as part
of the budget package. This bill sets up an annual, ongoing
fee-per-structure to provide wildfire prevention services in CA.
