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SFPUC lobbyists and federal representatives brief commissioners on 2009 legislative outcomes and 2010 outlook
Summary
SFPUC external affairs and lobbyists reviewed 2009 state and federal activity affecting the PUC (including SB581, SB407 and Delta legislation) and previewed 2010 priorities; staff also discussed limited ARRA outcomes for large projects and the uncertain timetable for comprehensive climate legislation.
Laura Spangen (AGM of External Affairs) and Don Gilbert (state lobbyist) briefed the commission on the 2009 state legislative cycle and ideas for 2010. Key takeaways included:
- SB581 (authored by Sen. Mark Leno) expanded the PUC's ability to develop a broader range of renewable-power projects and to use power purchase agreements (PPAs); staff said the bill was signed and becomes effective Jan. 1. - Bills to strengthen the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) toward a 33 percent by 2020 goal sparked debate; staff negotiated language recognizing a 67 percent hydropower threshold for publicly owned utilities and described the governors veto and an executive order directing the Air Resources Board to work toward RPS goals. - SB407 (Sen. Alex Padilla) enacted indoor plumbing fixture-efficiency requirements with staggered compliance dates for single-family (by 1/1/2017) and commercial/multi-family (by 2019) properties; staff said the law broadly supports local conservation aims. - The Delta water legislation went through a difficult regular session and then special session negotiation; staff emphasized the need to balance ecosystem restoration with reasonable protection of San Franciscos water rights and said the PUC was more engaged during the special-session process.
Daryl Owen summarized federal developments: ARRA (the stimulus) produced some funds but many PUC-scale projects were disadvantaged because federal programs favored smaller "shovel-ready" retrofits; the EPA endangerment finding on greenhouse gases will trigger substantial debate in Congress and may affect timelines for comprehensive federal climate legislation. Owen said that while a broad federal climate package looked unlikely in early 2010, adaptation and sector-specific measures may emerge and that the PUC should watch CARB and federal developments closely.
Commissioners asked staff to brief them on the operational implications of Delta legislation and to monitor CARB rulemaking and potential federal funding opportunities; staff said they would return with targeted briefings and legislative proposals for 2010.
