Section § 3310

Explanation

This law outlines the specific powers that the authority can use to support California's energy supply. It allows the authority to establish, finance, and manage energy projects, including generating facilities and other ventures, in collaboration with public and private parties. The goal is to ensure a reliable and reasonable electricity supply for consumers. Additionally, the authority can finance transmission projects, promote energy efficiency, support renewable energy, and reduce energy demand. It also has provisions to finance natural gas projects and improve old power plants for better efficiency and environmental performance.

The authority may only exercise its powers pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 3340) of Chapter 3 for the following purposes:
(a)CA Public Utilities Code § 3310(a) Establish, finance, purchase, lease, own, operate, acquire, or construct generating facilities and other projects and enterprises, on its own or through agreements with public and private third parties or joint ventures with public or private entities, or provide financial assistance for projects or programs by participating parties, to supplement private and public sector power supplies, taking into account generation facilities in operation or under development as of August 13, 2001, and to ensure a sufficient and reliable supply of electricity for California’s consumers at just and reasonable rates.
(b)CA Public Utilities Code § 3310(b) Sponsor, finance, purchase, lease, own, operate, acquire, or construct an eligible transmission project, as defined in Section 63049.71 of the Government Code.
(c)CA Public Utilities Code § 3310(c) Finance programs, administered by the Energy Commission, the commission, and other approved participating parties for consumers and businesses to invest in cost-effective energy efficient appliances, renewable energy projects, and other programs that will reduce the demand for energy in California.
(d)CA Public Utilities Code § 3310(d) Finance natural gas transportation and storage projects under Article 7 (commencing with Section 3368) of Chapter 3.
(e)CA Public Utilities Code § 3310(e) Achieve an adequate energy reserve capacity in California within five years of August 13, 2001.
(f)CA Public Utilities Code § 3310(f) Provide financing for owners of aged, inefficient, electric powerplants to perform necessary retrofits to improve the efficiency and environmental performances of those powerplants.