(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) California is a leader in driving the affordable and equitable transition to a clean reliable energy system and economy. However, the impacts of climate change are occurring sooner and with more intensity and frequency than previously anticipated.

Terms Used In California Water Code 80700

  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Water Code 18

(2) Extreme events from climate change, including heat waves, wildfires, and drought, combined with other factors, such as supply chain disruptions, are jeopardizing California’s ability to build out the electrical infrastructure needed to maintain affordability and reliability.

(3) As California transitions to a clean energy future and contends with climate impacts and other challenges, sufficient capacity of new and existing generation assets will be required to maintain reliability during extreme events.

(4) California must ensure electricity reliability during this period of heightened risk, which includes extraordinary near-term measures and substantive changes to mid-term energy policy, while also ensuring the multifaceted California electrical grid is best positioned to sustainably and equitably achieve California’s clean energy future, climate targets, and air quality requirements.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that:

(1) The enactment of this division further the purposes of Chapter 8.9 (commencing with Section 25790) of Division 15 of the Public Resources Code. The development and operation of a program as provided in this division is in all respects for the welfare and the benefit of the people of the state, to protect public peace, health, and safety, and constitutes an essential governmental purpose. This division shall be liberally construed in a manner so as to effectuate its purposes and objectives.

(2) The powers and responsibilities of the department established under this division are not governed by the provisions related to the State Water Resources Development System pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12930) of Part 6 of Division 6, and this division should not constitute a limitation on, or modification of, the department’s authority pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12930) of Part 6 of Division 6.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 61, Sec. 13. (AB 205) Effective June 30, 2022.)

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