SECTIONS 800-801 - California Statutes

PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE

SECTION 800-801

800. It is the policy of the State of California that the location
and operation of thermal electric powerplants shall enhance public
benefits and protect against or minimize adverse effects on the
public, the ecology of the land and its wildlife, and the ecology of
state waters and their aquatic life, and that the public's
opportunity to enjoy the material, physical and aesthetic benefits of
its resources shall be preserved to the greatest extent feasible.
The Legislature declares that it is also the policy of the state
to encourage the use of nuclear energy, geothermal resources, and
such other energy sources as are currently under development,
wherever feasible, recognizing that such use has the potential of
providing direct economic benefit to the public, while helping to
conserve limited fossil fuel resources and promoting air cleanliness.
The Legislature further declares that it is the policy of the
state to encourage planning by the state's electric utilities toward
the above-stated objectives and to assist the utilities in their
evaluations of the effects on the environment of proposed thermal
powerplant sites and to that end a State Powerplant Siting Committee
has been established to effect such coordination with the utilities
and to carry out specific responsibilities as may be defined in the
Public Utilities Code and the Public Resources Code.
The Legislature finds that the state should conduct research
relating to the conservation, enhancement and prudent use of its
resources, including those associated with the siting of thermal
powerplants.
The Legislature finds that the state should also stimulate,
sponsor and conduct appropriate research and study on new methods of
powerplant siting which offer potential for enhanced public benefits
in location, operation, and protection of the environment with such
investigations including underground and underocean sites, manmade
islands, powerplant parks, the desirability of locations on or near
tidal lagoons, and other concepts which may appear attractive in
minimizing the impact on the environment of the large projected
increase in California electric generating capacity.

801. In accordance with state policy, it shall be the
responsibility of the Resources Agency to establish a program of
research on improved methods of powerplant siting. Recognizing the
very considerable experience, knowledge and effort of the state's
electric utilities in this field, the Resources Agency shall
coordinate its research programs with the electric utilities to
insure minimum duplication and maximum interchange of information
with the results of the state's research program being published and
made available as public information.
In accord with recommendation No. 3 made in the Resources Agency's
report to the Legislature on Siting Thermal Powerplants in
California, dated February 15, 1970, and concurred in by the
Utilities Ad Hoc Committee, the Resources Agency is specifically
authorized to undertake a study of the siting of underground
powerplants.