Existing law requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to undertake various actions in furtherance of meeting the state’s clean energy and pollution reduction objectives, including actions related to energy infrastructure.
This bill would require the CEC and the Ocean Protection Council, on or before February 1, 2024, to commence a comprehensive, collaborative study to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of using wave energy and tidal energy, as specified. The bill would require the Energy Commission and the council, on or before January 1, 2025, to develop a strategic plan for the deployment of wave energy and tidal energy technologies, infrastructure, and facilities. The bill would require the strategic plan to include wave energy generation goals and tidal energy generation goals, as provided. The bill would require the CEC and the council to submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature on or before January 1, 2025, that includes, among other things, the strategic plan and findings from the study. The bill would require the commission to solicit applications for, and consider approving, wave energy and tidal energy pilot projects for purposes of the study and, after the study ends, to solicit applications for, and consider approving, the continuation of those projects and for new wave energy and tidal energy projects, as provided.
Under existing law, it is the policy of the state that eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources supply 90% of all retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers by December 31, 2035, 95% of all retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers by December 31, 2040, 100% of all retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers by December 31, 2045, and 100% of electricity procured to serve all state agencies by December 31, 2035. Existing law requires the California Public Utilities Commission(CPUC), CEC, and State Air Resources Board (ARB) to issue a joint report to the Legislature by January 1, 2021, and at least every 4 years thereafter, that includes, among other things, a review of this policy and the barriers to, and benefits of, achieving the policy.
This bill would require the CPUC, CEC, and ARB to include the wave energy and tidal energy strategic plan in the first joint report issued after January 1, 2024.
Committee Location: (Updated 9/14/23) APPROVED in both houses. On to the Governor’s desk.
