Land use planning: renewable energy projects: siting.

(1) Existing law, the Planning and Zoning Law, requires the Office of Planning and Research to coordinate, in conjunction with appropriate state, regional, and local agencies, the development of objectives, criteria, and procedures for the orderly evaluation and report of the impact of public and private actions on the environmental quality of the state and as a guide to the preparation of environmental impact reports required of state and local agencies, and to develop a land use policy for the state. Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, subject to the availability of funds, to provide technical assistance and grants-in-aid to assist local agencies in siting specified energy production or transmission projects. This bill would require the Office of Planning and Research, by July 1, 2012, in consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, the Department of Fish and Game, the Public Utilities Commission, any applicable private organization, and any applicable local or federal agency, to develop and maintain an Internet Web site containing information that covers common issues when siting a renewable energy project, including specified information. (2) Existing law requires the Office of Planning and Research to develop, adopt, and revise guidelines for the mandatory elements required in city and county general plans, as specified. This bill would require the office, upon the next revision of these guidelines, to prepare or amend guidelines for a legislative body to adopt or amend an optional energy element, as specified.