ARIZONA STATE SENATE
clean power development
(NOW: renewable
resource study committee)
Purpose
Establishes a Renewable Resource Energy Study Committee to examine and evaluate the use and promotion of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency.
Background
Arizona energy production and consumption is a $4 billion industry serving approximately 2 million customers. According to the Department of Energy’s State Energy Data Report for 1999, this state consumes more than 460 trillion BTUs a year for commercial and residential purposes. The Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office, which oversees the state’s energy consumption needs, adopts standards for ensuring consistent resource availability and devises and oversees conservation and renewable energy initiatives for the State.
In addition to the Energy Office, there are a number of other renewable resource initiatives by public and private entities within the State, including: the Department of Administration’s graduated renewable energy use requirement for facilities on the Governmental Mall, the Arizona Public Service Company operation of the Solar Test and Research Facility to provide solar resource monitoring and the University of Arizona’s facilitation of the School of Renewable Natural Resources to research and outreach in a range of disciplines related to the conservation and management of renewable natural resources.
H.B. 2693 establishes a renewable energy resource study committee to review and make recommendations to the legislature with regard to the state’s current and future use of renewable energy resources. There is a minimal fiscal impact associated with the reimbursement of expenses for committee members.
Provisions
1. Establishes the renewable energy resource study committee and prescribes its membership.
2. Charges the study committee with the following responsibilities:
a) Evaluation of state and federal policies that hinder or encourage the use of
renewable energy resources.
b) Evaluation of the costs and benefits of renewable energy resources and energy
efficiency.
c) Examination of strategies for the use of renewable energy by Native Americans,
including strategies for job creation.
d) Examination of strategies for private, state and leveraged federal investment
incentives in the use of renewable energy.
e) Examination of strategies for increased consumer education regarding renewable
energy and energy efficiency.
f) Examination of strategies for closer coordination between the Legislature and the
Arizona Corporation Commission regarding the promotion and use of renewable energy in the states’ electrical system.
g) Any additional matters that the committee determines are relevant to the
promotion and use of renewable energy.
3. Requires the study committee to submit an interim report by December 31, 2002 and a final report by December 31, 2003, each containing findings, recommendations and proposed legislative action, to the Governor, Legislature, Secretary of State and Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records.
4. Stipulates that members are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses.
5. Terminates the study committee on January 1, 2004.
6. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Commerce Committee
1. Clarifies that the study committee will evaluate renewable energy resources, rather than simply renewable resources.
2. Replaces the representative on the committee from the state’s utility and water districts with a representative from an agriculture improvement district.
EUT 3/20/02 DPA 9-0-0-1 NRAE 4/18/02 DP 7-0-1-0
3rd Read 4/09/02 35-18-7-0 COM 4/24/02 DPA 6-0-0-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
April 24, 2002