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Assembly committee backs bill letting department accept permits for petitioned species, with scientists urging guardrails
Summary
AB 550 would allow the Department of Fish and Wildlife to accept incidental‑take permit applications for species that have been petitioned for listing but are not yet listed. Supporters said the change reduces costly uncertainty for clean‑energy projects; conservation groups sought clearer standards and limits on using research as mitigation.
Assemblymember Cottie Petrie‑Norris sponsored AB 550 to allow developers to apply to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for incidental‑take permits for species that have reached the Commission petition review stage but are not yet formally listed. The bill aims to close a legal gap that can leave large energy projects in regulatory limbo when petition activity arises mid‑construction.
Proponents from the renewable energy industry and the Large‑Scale Solar Association said permitting uncertainty can delay projects and raise costs “to ratepayers.” Lillian Mervis of the Large‑Scale Solar Association told the committee, “When these projects... are subject to such uncertainty, it only serves to increase cost to ratepayers.” Intersect Power and industry sponsors said AB 550 would allow earlier mitigation planning and could fund scientific research to improve conservation outcomes.
Environmental groups including Defenders of Wildlife, Audubon California and the California Native Plant Society said the bill needs clearer standards before the department can issue such permits. They asked for language ensuring any pre‑listing permit meet the fully mitigated standard under CESA and that scientific research not be used as a substitute for protecting conserved habitat. Defenders also recommended a fee authority so the department can fund the added permitting workload.
Committee action: After testimony and an exchange about safeguards, the Assembly committee voted to pass AB 550 as amended and sent it to Appropriations.
