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AB-2831 Small business customers: demand-side energy management programs.(2017-2018)



Current Version: 09/20/18 - Chaptered

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AB2831:v94#DOCUMENT

Assembly Bill No. 2831
CHAPTER 590

An act to amend Section 323.5 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to energy.

[ Approved by Governor  September 20, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State  September 20, 2018. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2831, Limón. Small business customers: demand-side energy management programs.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Pursuant to existing law, the commission supervises various energy efficiency and other demand-side energy management programs administered by electrical corporations, gas corporations, and 3rd party administrators, the expenses for which are collected by electrical corporations and gas corporations from their ratepayers. Existing law requires the commission to ensure that the Internet Web site for the Energy Upgrade California program be revised to include information related to demand-side management programs for small business customers.
This bill would require that the Internet Web site for the Energy Upgrade California program be revised and maintained to include information related to demand-side management programs for small business customers.
Existing law creates the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Existing law establishes the duties and functions of the advocate, which include advisory participation in the consideration of all legislation and administrative regulations that affect small businesses. Existing law requires the office to include a link to the Energy Upgrade California Internet Web site on the homepage of its Internet Web site.
Existing decisions of the commission approve of steps to be undertaken with respect to statewide marketing, education, and outreach with respect to energy efficiency and other demand-side energy management programs supervised by the commission.
This bill would require the commission, in consultation with the office, to ensure that adequate marketing, education, and outreach are undertaken that is directed at small business customers to enable small business customers to fully participate in ratepayer-funded demand-side energy management programs, including specified programs that provide financial incentives, rebates, technical assistance, and support.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 323.5 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:

323.5.
 (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Demand-side energy management programs” mean all energy efficiency, demand-side response, clean distributed generation, energy conservation, energy savings, or weatherization programs of the state or a local government, electrical corporations, gas corporations, or a local publicly owned electric or gas utility.
(2) “Small business” has the same meaning as defined in Section 14837 of the Government Code.
(b) The commission shall ensure that the Internet Web site for the Energy Upgrade California program is revised and maintained to include information related to demand-side energy management programs for small business customers.
(c) The commission, in consultation with the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, shall ensure that adequate marketing, education, and outreach are undertaken that is directed at small business customers to enable small business customers to fully participate in ratepayer-funded demand-side energy management programs, including programs that provide financial incentives, rebates, technical assistance, and support pursuant to Sections 454.54 and 454.55.