SB 523

Bill Subjects

Abstract

(1) Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations. This bill would create the Solar Feed-in Tariff Pilot Program. The bill would require Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric Company, to enter into agreements to purchase all of the electricity generated by the owner or operator of a solar energy generation facility located within the territory served by that electrical corporation at specified prices using a contract developed by the commission, as provided. This program would be limited to the City of Santa Monica and other pilot cities to be selected by the commission. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or an order or direction of the commission is a crime. Because this bill would require an order or other action of the commission to implement its provisions and a violation of that order or action would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime. The bill would also create a state-mandated local program by imposing duties on the City of Santa Monica. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.