(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) There is insufficient information available to fully realize the potential of solar photovoltaic energy generation to serve low-income customers, including those in disadvantaged communities.
(2) There is insufficient understanding of the barriers to access for low-income customers to all forms of renewable energy being generated in the state.
(3) There is insufficient understanding of the barriers to access for low-income customers to energy efficiency investments.
(4) There is insufficient understanding of the barriers to access for low-income customers to zero-emission and near-zero-emission transportation options.
(b) On or before January 1, 2017, the commission, with input from relevant state agencies and the public, shall conduct and complete a study on both of the following:
(1) Barriers to, and opportunities for, solar photovoltaic energy generation as well as barriers to, and opportunities for, access to other renewable energy by low-income customers.
(2) Barriers to contracting opportunities for local small businesses in disadvantaged communities.
(c) On or before January 1, 2017, the commission, with input from relevant state agencies and the public, shall develop and publish a study on barriers for low-income customers to energy efficiency and weatherization investments, including those in disadvantaged communities, as well as recommendations on how to increase access to energy efficiency and weatherization investments to low-income customers.
(d) On or before January 1, 2017, the State Air Resources Board, in consultation with the commission and with input from relevant state agencies and the public, shall develop and publish a study on barriers for low-income customers to zero-emission and near-zero-emission transportation options, including those in disadvantaged communities, as well as recommendations on how to increase access to zero-emission and near-zero-emission transportation options to low-income customers, including those in disadvantaged communities.
(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 547, Sec. 7. (SB 350) Effective January 1, 2016.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018