Legislative Update
California | Federal
Last Updated: 3/29/2010
California Legislation
AB 892 | Author: Furutani
In brief:Authorizes Goods Movement
Emission Reduction Program (GMERP) applicants to reallocate unspent Prop. 1B funds to other transportation-related purposes, including reducing emissions and improving air quality in trade corridors,or to backup projects covered by the same grant agreement. If the applicant has no other qualifying projects, CARB must reallocate the funds within the same air district.
Details: Due to the recession, some GMERP recipients have had to back out of awarded projects. AB 892 ensures that the funds will first be available for other projects by the applicant or in the same goods movement corridor.
Status: To the governor.
AB 1500 | Author: Lieu
In brief:Extends HOV lane access for single-occupant alternative fuel vehicles (“white stickers”) five years beyond the current sunset, to Jan. 1, 2014.
Details: The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee insisted on an amendment to sunset the bill in 2014 instead of 2016. Sponsoredby the Coalition.
Status: To Senate Inactive File; two-year bill.
AB 1527 | Author: Lieu
In brief: Allows vehicle emissions reduction projects funded by the Carl Moyer Program or Prop. 1B to also receive AB 118 or federal funds, provided those funds result in additional reductions.
Details: Sponsored by CALSTART and supported by the Coalition. The bill was amended to clarify that funds from AB 118 or other state or federal sources do not count when calculating the cost-
effectiveness of a project funded by Carl Moyer or Prop. 1B, thus preventing the project’s cost-
effectiveness from being artificially lowered.
Status:To the governor.
SB 376 | Author: Simitian
In brief:Requires the CEC to submit to the Legislature and governor a Liquefied Natural Gas Market Assessment Report of 2011.
Details: SB 376 was amended to delete a provision that would have prohibited approval of construction or operation of an LNG terminal, onshore or off, until the report becomes final.
Status: Held in Senate Appropriations Committee.
SB 535 | Author: Yee
In brief: Extends HOV lane access for single-occupant alternative fuel vehicles (“white stickers”) as long as authorized by federal law, eliminating the current 2011 sunset. Amended to also extend access toplug-in hybrids and similar hybrids, such as the Volt, but with a cap of 65,000 vehicles. The provision for hybrids sunsets in 2015.
Details: SB 535 is sponsored by General Motors.
Status: To Assembly Inactive File; two-year bill.
SB 605 | Author: Ashburn
In brief: Grants a biogas pipeline in Fresno, Kern, Kings, or Tulare counties the same exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) granted to existing natural gas pipelines.
Details:Current law exempts new natural gas pipelines less than one mile long and maintenance or replacement of existing pipelines less than eight miles long from CEQA. SB 605 is designed to accommodate pipeline spurs from dairy waste anaerobic digesters to the natural gas pipeline grid
Status: To the governor.
SB 626 | Author: Kehoe
In brief:Requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in consultation with the CEC, CARB, electric companies, and the auto industry, to evaluate policies ensuring sufficient infrastructure for widespread use of plug-in hybrids.
Details: SB 626 was amended to require the CPUC to only evaluate issues, not implement rules, related to charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The amendments also delete any analysis of whether incentives are necessary to promote electric charging infrastructure.
Status: To the governor.
SB 632 | Author: Lowenthal
In brief: Requires the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Oakland to give the Legislature an assessment of their infrastructure and air quality improvement needs, including total costs.
Details: The bill requires the ports to focus on projects that improve cargo movement efficiency, reduce traffic congestion, and reduce cargo-related air pollution.
Status: Placed on Assembly Inactive File.
Federal Legislation
HR 1622 | Author: Sullivan
In brief: To provide for a program of research, development, and demonstration on natural gas vehicles.
Details: The Secretary of Energy shall conduct a 5-year program of natural gas vehicle research, development, and demonstration.
Status: Passed in the House. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
HR 1835 | Author: Boren
In brief: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage alternative energy investments and job creation.
Details: The bill contains tax credits for manufacturers and buyers of NGVs as well as for businesses that build natural gas refueling infrastructure.
Status: House Science and Technology: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
SB306 | Author: Nelson
In brief: A bill to promote biogas production, and for other purposes.
Details: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for the production, sale, or use of biogas. Defines "biogas" as a gas that is derived by processing qualified energy feedstock (i.e., manure of agricultural livestock and other organic agricultural or food industry byproduct waste material) in an anaerobic digester and that contains at least 50% methane. Allows such credit to offset alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
SB 1350 | Author: Pryor, Inhofe
In brief: To encourage increased production of natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas vehicles and to provide tax incentives for natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas vehicle infrastructure, and for other purposes.
Details: The Fueling America Act provides a consumer tax credit for the installation of natural gas and propane refueling stations. The bill also establishes a natural gas and propane vehicle research and development program within the Department of Energy and requires the General Services Administration to study increasing the federal fleet that runs on natural gas or propane.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
SB 1408 | Author: Menendez, Reid and Hatch
In brief: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage alternative energy investments and job creation.
Details: The bill contains tax credits for manufacturers and buyers of NGVs as well as for businesses that build natural gas refueling infrastructure.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
