SF 3285 Summary

• Energy Conservation Requirements: Utilities must spend 0.5-2% of gross operating revenues on energy conservation improvements depending on fuel type and whether they operate nuclear plants; establishes energy-savings goals of 1.5% of annual retail energy sales and creates an energy and conservation account.

• Renewable Energy Standards: Requires utilities to generate or procure increasing percentages of electricity from eligible renewable sources, reaching 12-30% by 2020 depending on utility type, with specific provisions for wind and solar energy and tradable renewable energy credits.

• Program Expansion: Adds provisions for qualifying solar energy projects, biomethane purchases, low-income conservation programs, sustainable building performance standards, and research and development funding for renewable energy and conservation technologies.

• Nuclear Restrictions: Prohibits the Public Utilities Commission from issuing certificates of need for new nuclear power plant construction, while allowing license extensions with spent fuel storage impact assessments.

• Repeals Prior Provisions: Eliminates previous community-based energy development tariff requirements, decoupling regulations, greenhouse gas emissions controls, and state energy policy goals that were in effect under prior law.