(April 23, 2009) Strong opposition from the California Chamber of Commerce and local chambers of commerce has stopped legislation that would have hurt the reliability of the state’s energy grid while increasing rates for California consumers and businesses.
On the morning of the bill’s first scheduled hearing April 21 before a legislative policy committee, Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Chair Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) announced that the author was turning SB 42 (Corbett; D-San Leandro) into a two-year bill, meaning no further action on the proposal would be pursued this year.
In its current form, SB 42 would have depressed business growth and vitality, threatening California’s core energy supply and inhibiting the construction of desalination plants.
Senator Padilla said during the committee meeting that he was committed to working with Senator Ellen Corbett to conduct an informational hearing on once-through cooling between legislative sessions to discuss the existing process led by the State Water Resources Control Board on this issue.
SB 42 would have prematurely retired the state’s once-through cooling plants, thereby having an immense impact on California’s ability to meet crucial peak demand and potentially leading to significant rate hikes.
The CalChamber believes the state should take a comprehensive approach to climate change and renewable energy, seeking comprehensive solutions to meet the demands of the environment.
In addition, lawmakers should consider that SB 42 also would have a negative impact on the state’s water supply when California is suffering through a significant drought. The state has an obligation to pursue all reasonable means of protecting and enhancing the state’s water supplies to meet the needs of homes, businesses and agriculture.
Desalination, the process of removing excess salt and other minerals from water, is a viable tool to obtain more water supplies. Technological advances have made it an affordable option.
Desalination plants are most effective when collocated with power plants since the water used to cool the turbines can be desalinated. Environmental safeguards can be taken to minimize any adverse effects, including water quality, discharge and the monitoring of brine levels.
Staff Contact: Amisha Patel