Committee advances AB 734 to restore public release standard for biological survey maps at CEC
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Summary
AB 734 would require the California Energy Commission to post biological survey maps at a scale of at least 1:6,000 to allow meaningful public review; bill supporters say the commission’s recent use of much coarser maps prevents informed comment, while sponsors included a protective carve‑out to avoid exposing sensitive species locations.
Assemblymember Schultz presented AB 734 to require the California Energy Commission (CEC) to make biological survey maps available to the public at a scale "useful for details like city streets or hiking a trail" (the bill specifies a scale of at least 1:6,000). Schultz and witnesses said the CEC’s recent practice of posting surveys at much coarser scales (e.g., 1:350,000) prevents the public and stakeholders from providing meaningful input on avoidance and mitigation measures for energy projects.
Pamela Flick of Defenders of Wildlife, the bill sponsor, told the committee that returning to maps at 1:6,000 "remedies" the problem while still allowing the Department of Fish and Wildlife to direct coarser public release if the underlying source is the California Natural Diversity Database and disclosure would threaten sensitive species. "This change is a good bill for both biological diversity and clean energy," Flick said. Supporters from multiple conservation organizations and local governments voiced support; witnesses said the bill aims to balance public review with protection of species at risk from illegal collection.
The committee passed AB 734 as amended to move to the Senate Appropriations Committee. (Tally recorded in the hearing: yes 5, no 0 left on call during the hearing.)