Oct 12 - Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation Promoting Solar Power, Energy and Water Efficiency
Governor Schwarzenegger released the following press release this morning regarding his signing of a packaging of energy efficiency bills, including CAW-sponsored AB 1109 (Huffman), which will reduce California's energy use for lighting and encourage the use of compact fluorescent bulbs:
"Governor Schwarzenegger today signed a package of legislation furthering his commitment to energy efficiency, conservation and pollution reduction.
'California is a world leader in improving technologies and promoting conservation while protecting our environment,' said Governor Schwarzenegger. 'That is why I am pleased to sign this legislation that will protect our precious resources and continue to keep California at the forefront of energy and water efficiency.'
The Governor signed the following seven bills:
- AB 662 by Assemblymember Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City) expands the authority of the California Energy Commission to set water efficiency standards for appliances.
- AB 1103 by Assemblymember Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) requires electric utilities to maintain records of energy consumption data for all nonresidential buildings to which they provide service and requires building owners or operators to provide benchmarking data to prospective buyers, lessees or lenders beginning January 1, 2010.
- AB 1109 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) enacts the California Lighting Efficiency and Toxics Reduction Act which prohibits the manufacturing for sale or the sale of certain general purpose lights that contain hazardous substances. In addition, the bill requires the California Energy Commission to adopt energy efficiency standards for all general purpose lights.
- AB 1406 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) adds condominiums to the meaning of “structure†with respect to the use of recycled water for toilet and urinal flushing.
- AB 1470 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) creates the Solar Water Heating and Efficiency Act of 2007 which provides incentives to attain the goal of installing 200,000 solar water heating systems in the state by 2017.
- AB 1481 by Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) creates a uniform, statewide permitting process for landscape irrigation uses of recycled water, such as parks, playgrounds and golf courses, by requiring the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt a statewide general water quality permit.
- AB 1560 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) requires the California Energy Commission to incorporate standards for water efficiency and conservation into the existing building standards governing energy efficiency."