BILL NUMBER: AB 45	INTRODUCED
	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.