Energy: biomethane: procurement.

Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including gas corporations. Existing law requires the commission, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, to consider adopting specific biomethane procurement targets or goals for each gas corporation so that each gas corporation procures a proportionate share, as determined by the commission, of biomethane annually, as specified. Existing law defines "biomethane" for that purpose as biogas that meets specified standards adopted by the commission for injection into a common carrier pipeline. This bill would instead define "biomethane" for that purpose as methane produced from an organic waste feedstock, rather than biogas, that meets those specified standards and is either produced from the anaerobic decomposition of organic material or produced from the noncombustion thermal conversion of specified materials. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or an 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, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission implementing its requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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.