Energy: biomethane: biomethane procurement.

Existing law requires state agencies to consider and, as appropriate, adopt policies and incentives to significantly increase the sustainable production and use of renewable gas. Existing law requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) , in consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission and the State Air Resources Board, to consider additional policies to support the development and use in the state of renewable gas that reduce short-lived climate pollutants in the state. This bill would require the PUC, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, to consider adopting specific biomethane procurement targets or goals for each gas corporation, as specified. The bill would require the PUC, if the PUC adopts those targets or goals, to take certain actions in regards to the development of the targets or goals and the procurement of the biomethane to meet those targets or goals. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime. Because the provisions of this bill would be a part of the act and because a violation of an order or decision of the commission implementing its requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program by expanding the operation of a crime. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.