Section 379.6.

(a) (1)  It is the intent of the Legislature that the self-generation incentive program increase deployment of distributed generation and energy storage systems to facilitate the integration of those resources into the electrical grid, improve efficiency and reliability of the distribution and transmission system, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, peak demand, and ratepayer costs. It is the further intent of the Legislature that the commission, in future proceedings, provide for an equitable distribution of the costs and benefits of the program.

(2)  The commission, in consultation with the Energy Commission, may authorize the annual collection of not more than the amount authorized for the self-generation incentive program in the 2008 calendar year, through December 31, 2014. The commission shall require the administration of the program for distributed energy resources originally established pursuant to Chapter 329 of the Statutes of 2000 until January 1, 2016. On January 1, 2016, the commission shall provide repayment of all unallocated funds collected pursuant to this section to reduce ratepayer costs.

(3) The commission shall administer solar technologies separately, pursuant to the California Solar Initiative adopted by the commission in Decision 06-01-024.

(b) Eligibility for incentives under the program shall be limited to distributed energy resources that the commission, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, determines will achieve reductions of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).

(c) Eligibility for the funding of any combustion-operated distributed generation projects using fossil fuel is subject to all of the following conditions:

(1)  An oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions rate standard of 0.07 pounds per megawatthour and a minimum efficiency of 60 percent, or any other NOx emissions rate and minimum efficiency standard adopted by the State Air Resources Board. A minimum efficiency of 60 percent shall be measured as useful energy output divided by fuel input. The efficiency determination shall be based on 100 percent load.

(2) Combined heat and power units that meet the 60-percent efficiency standard may take a credit to meet the applicable NOx emissions standard of 0.07 pounds per megawatthour. Credit shall be at the rate of one megawatthour for each 3.4 million British thermal units (Btus) of heat recovered.

(3) The customer receiving incentives shall adequately maintain and service the combined heat and power units so that during operation, the system continues to meet or exceed the efficiency and emissions standards established pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2).

(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a project that does not meet the applicable NOx emissions standard is eligible if it meets both of the following requirements:

(A) The project operates solely on waste gas. The commission shall require a customer that applies for an incentive pursuant to this paragraph to provide an affidavit or other form of proof that specifies that the project shall be operated solely on waste gas. Incentives awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to refund and shall be refunded by the recipient to the extent the project does not operate on waste gas. As used in this paragraph, "waste gas" means natural gas that is generated as a byproduct of petroleum production operations and is not eligible for delivery to the utility pipeline system.

(B) The air quality management district or air pollution control district, in issuing a permit to operate the project, determines that operation of the project will produce an onsite net air emissions benefit, compared to permitted onsite emissions if the project does not operate. The commission shall require the customer to secure the permit prior to receiving incentives.

(d) In determining the eligibility for the self-generation incentive program, minimum system efficiency shall be determined either by calculating electrical and process heat efficiency as set forth in Section 216.6, or by calculating overall electrical efficiency.

(e) In administering the self-generation incentive program, the commission may adjust the amount of rebates and evaluate other public policy interests, including, but not limited to, ratepayers, energy efficiency, peak load reduction, load management, and environmental interests.

(f) The commission shall ensure that distributed generation resources are made available in the program for all ratepayers.

(g) (1) In administering the self-generation incentive program, the commission shall provide an additional incentive of 20 percent from existing program funds for the installation of eligible distributed generation resources from a California supplier.

(2) "California supplier" as used in this subdivision means any sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, corporation, or other business entity that manufactures eligible distributed generation resources in California and that meets either of the following criteria:

(A) The owners or policymaking officers are domiciled in California and the permanent principal office, or place of business from which the supplier's trade is directed or managed, is located in California.

(B) A business or corporation, including those owned by, or under common control of, a corporation, that meets all of the following criteria continuously during the five years prior to providing eligible distributed generation resources to a self-generation incentive program recipient:

(i) Owns and operates a manufacturing facility located in California that builds or manufactures eligible distributed generation resources.

(ii) Is licensed by the state to conduct business within the state.

(iii) Employs California residents for work within the state.

(3) For purposes of qualifying as a California supplier, a distribution or sales management office or facility does not qualify as a manufacturing facility.

(h) The costs of the program adopted and implemented pursuant to this section shall not be recovered from customers participating in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 310, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2012.)