​(May 24, 2012) A California Chamber of Commerce-supported job creator bill that encourages job growth by eliminating costly and repetitive permitting for solar thermal projects was signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. yesterday.

AB 1073 (Fuentes; D-Sylmar) promotes the use of cost-efficient energy by allowing a solar facility to convert from solar thermal technology to photovoltaic technology without having to file a new application.

This legislation is consistent with the goals of the CalChamber 2012 Renew Agenda and will help position California for economic recovery.

AB 1073 builds on the streamlining foundation set forth in SB 226 (Simitian; Statutes of 2011, Chapter 469) by clarifying that the California Energy Commission has “opt-in” jurisdiction over specified solar thermal power plants that were challenged in court, but were later dismissed. Because of this, more solar thermal projects will have the opportunity to convert to photovoltaic, making them more competitive and providing certainty for projects moving forward.

Staff Contact: Amy Mmagu