Renewable energy resources: municipal solid waste combustion.

Existing law establishes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program, which requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement annual procurement targets for the procurement of eligible renewable energy resources, as defined, for all retail sellers, as defined, to achieve the targets and goals of the program. Existing law provides that a facility engaged in the combustion of municipal solid waste shall not be considered an eligible renewable energy resource unless it is located in the County of Stanislaus and was operational prior to September 26, 1996. This bill would additionally provide that a facility engaged in the combustion of municipal solid waste shall not be considered an eligible renewable energy resource unless it is located in the County of Los Angeles and was operational prior to September 26, 1996. This bill would, with respect to a facility located in the County of Los Angeles as previously described, provide that it shall not be considered an eligible renewable energy resource on or after January 1, 2045, unless it has converted into a system that does not perform traditional direct combustion of municipal solid waste, and the facility diverts an amount of waste from landfills that equals or exceeds its capability as it existed prior to the conversion of the facility. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the County of Los Angeles.