972.
(a) A penalty assessed against a gas corporation pursuant to this part in regards to a natural gas storage facility leak shall at least equal the amount necessary to reduce the impact on the climate from greenhouse gases by an amount equivalent to the impact on the climate from the greenhouse gases emitted by the leak from the natural gas storage facility, as determined by the State Air Resources Board. In determining the amount necessary to fully offset the impact on the climate from the gases emitted by the leak, the commission shall consider the extent to which the gas corporation has mitigated, or is in the process of mitigating, the impact on the climate from greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the leak, provided that the mitigation is consistent with subdivision (c), as determined by the State Air Resources Board.(b) The commission shall deposit any penalties assessed against a gas corporation pursuant to this part in regards to a natural gas storage facility leak into the Gas Storage Facility Leak Mitigation Account, which is hereby established in the State Treasury.
(c) Moneys in the account shall be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, subject to all of the following conditions:
(1) Moneys shall be expended solely for direct emissions reductions in furtherance of the achievement of the greenhouse gas emissions limit established pursuant to Section 38550 of the Health and Safety Code and, if sufficient moneys remain after mitigating the impact on the climate from the gas corporation’s emissions, as specified in subdivision (a), to reimburse state and local response costs. Moneys shall not be used for the purchase of allowances or offsets otherwise authorized pursuant to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).
(2) Moneys shall be expended in a manner to be determined by the commission, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gases that will fully offset the impact on the climate from those gases emitted by that leak.
(3) Moneys shall be expended consistent with Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(4) (A) Consistent with the State Air Resources Board’s Aliso Canyon Climate Impacts Mitigation Program, moneys in the fund resulting from penalties assessed for the Aliso Canyon gas leak shall be expended to do all the following:
(i) Generate significant and quantifiable reductions in methane emissions within the agriculture and waste sectors.
(ii) Promote a more sustainable energy infrastructure by promoting energy efficiency and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.
(iii) Detect and address emissions from methane hot spots not presently targeted under federal, state, or local laws.
(iv) Where feasible, yield cobenefits in communities directly affected by the leak and in disadvantaged communities.
(B) Priority shall be given to projects in nearby communities harmed by the leak and other communities directly affected by methane emissions, disadvantaged communities, and communities within the Aliso Canyon service area.
(d) This section shall not affect or be interpreted to affect the authority of the State Air Resources Board to adopt rules and regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at natural gas storage facilities or to require mitigation of natural gas leaks from those facilities.