AB 1012 Summary

• Expands mitigation authority for endangered species impacts from solar and photovoltaic projects to include wind and geothermal powerplants in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan area.

• Establishes the Renewable Energy Resources Development Fee Trust Fund to collect voluntary fees from renewable energy developers for habitat mitigation actions, with developers paying fees calculated on a per-acre basis using total cost accounting.

• Requires the Department of Fish and Game to enter into planning agreements with the Energy Commission, San Joaquin Valley counties, and renewable energy developers to prepare natural community conservation plans for comprehensive wildlife management.

• Exempts eligible renewable energy projects from California Environmental Quality Act requirements to analyze or mitigate environmental effects (including greenhouse gas emissions) found not to be significant, until January 1, 2014.

• Authorizes the Energy Commission to provide up to $7,000,000 in grants to qualified counties for developing or revising general plans, zoning ordinances, and natural community conservation plans to facilitate renewable energy development on disturbed lands.