63110.
(a) The bank, in consultation with the state board, shall administer the catalyst fund to provide financial assistance for climate catalyst projects consistent with this chapter, and the guiding document developed pursuant to Section 63120.(b) Climate catalyst projects eligible for financial assistance pursuant to this chapter shall demonstrate the potential for all of the following:
(1) Reduction in net emissions of greenhouse gases.
(2) Partnership with a private financial institution or lender.
(3) Ability for the project to meet applicable
permitting requirements.
(4) Ability to create jobs in the state.
(5) Technological viability.
(6) Ability to, over time, pay back the financial assistance provided pursuant to this chapter.
(7) The existence of a financing gap that is a barrier to project implementation or market growth.
(8) Other requirements deemed necessary by the bank.
(c) The bank shall establish a portfolio approach to the provision of financial assistance to address different industry needs and different development and commercialization stages of technology.
(d) The bank may accept
applications for financial assistance pursuant to the program on an ongoing and open solicitation basis.
(e) The bank may provide financial assistance to any eligible sponsor or participating party either directly or to a lending or financial institution, in connection with the financing or refinancing of a climate catalyst project in accordance with an agreement, or agreements, between the bank and the sponsor or participating party, including, but not limited to, tribes and local governments, either as a sole lender or in participation or syndication with other lenders.
(f) No financing shall exceed the total cost of the climate catalyst project being financed.
(g) Financial assistance for climate catalyst projects through the catalyst loan program shall be provided at low interest rates and at low cost, as
determined by the bank, to support the projects directly and also to attract additional third-party capital.
(h) Chapter 3.5 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 shall not apply to any criteria, priorities, and guidelines adopted by the bank in connection with the catalyst loan program.
(i) Repayments of financing made under the catalyst program shall be deposited into the climate catalyst revolving account.
(j) The bank may use moneys in the climate catalyst revolving account for administrative costs incurred in implementing the catalyst loan program in an amount determined by the bank and approved by the Department of Finance.
(k) (1) Sections 10295 of, and Article 4 (commencing with Section 10335) of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of
Division 2 of, the Public Contract Code shall not apply to agreements entered into by the bank in connection with financial assistance provided pursuant to this chapter.
(2) To the extent that this chapter is inconsistent with other state laws, this chapter shall prevail over those laws.
63111.
(a) The bank, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, shall establish guidelines for the program and project eligibility that are consistent with the requirements of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code) and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Investment Plan and Communities Revitalization Act (Chapter 4.1 (commencing with Section 39710) of the Health and Safety Code). The guidelines shall include consideration of whether providing financial assistance for a climate catalyst project will do the following:(1) Increase private investment in climate catalyst projects that are not currently able to obtain financing at attractive terms or through
an existing state program.
(2) Enable the implementation and scaling of climate catalyst projects to increase deployment of innovative financing by leveraging limited public dollars to attract private capital.
(3) Facilitate the deployment of climate catalyst projects at an accelerated rate.
(4) Enhance the competitiveness of California-based companies and reduce leakage of greenhouse gas emissions to other jurisdictions.
(5) Achieve cobenefits, including, but not limited to, enhanced water supply, improved water quality, improved air quality, enhanced urban environments, local reliability and resiliency, and improved public health and wildlife habitat.
(6) Address barriers that have
prevented adequate commercial financing of climate catalyst projects.
(b) Priority shall be given to projects that demonstrate the ability to meet the multiple criteria in subdivision (a).
63112.
(a) The bank board shall appoint an executive officer to oversee and implement this chapter who meets both of the following requirements:(1) Demonstrates significant experience and knowledge of private sector financing of low-carbon technologies and projects.
(2) Does not have any financial interest in any climate catalyst project under consideration or any financial interest in an investment institution or its affiliates or any other entity seeking or likely to seek financial assistance for any climate catalyst project pursuant to this chapter.
(b) The executive officer shall have the ability to hire staff with
experience and knowledge of private sector financing structures and tools.
63113.
The bank shall convene, at least twice each year, in a public process, an advisory stakeholder group consisting of clean energy stakeholders with experience in clean energy financing, financing assistance for low-income communities, or technological expertise. The advisory group shall provide to the bank information on topics, including, but not limited to, current market needs, financial feasibility of financial tools, commercial feasibility of climate catalyst technologies and projects, and relevant studies.