Chapter 1.5. Cogeneration Technology And Resource Recovery Projects of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 26. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 1.5.

The Legislature finds and declares (a) that present methods of generating and using energy in California result in substantial waste of such energy through the loss of exhaust steam and heat which is not recovered or otherwise put to use, and that this waste of energy results in adverse environmental and economic impacts and accelerates the need for new powerplant construction, and increases dependence upon imported oil, (b) that the use of cogeneration technology can substantially increase the efficiency of energy use in California and can also result in environmental and economic benefits for the people of the state, (c) that the expanded use of cogeneration technology is specifically encouraged as a matter of national energy policy through the tax and regulatory incentives provided in the National Energy Act, and through state legislation which encourages the expeditious approval of cogeneration projects, and (d) the construction and operation of cogeneration facilities will result in an incremental air quality emissions benefit to the extent they reduce demand on existing utility combustion generation facilities in the same air basin and that such benefit should be recognized in determining requirements for new cogeneration projects.

The Legislature further finds and declares (a) that the disposal of liquid and solid waste poses serious environmental and economic problems for local governments in California, (b) that resource recovery technology presently exists which can convert municipal waste to energy while also recovering substantial quantities of raw materials, (c) that the construction of resource recovery projects can help alleviate the environmental and economic problems associated with municipal waste disposal, while at the same time producing additional supplies of energy and raw materials, and (d) that such projects should therefore be encouraged as a matter of state policy.

The Legislature further finds and declares that the 1977 amendments to the federal Clean Air Act specifically authorize local governments to provide for the mitigation of the air quality impact of projects with communitywide benefits, such as cogeneration technology and resource recovery projects, by providing regional growth increments in the state implementation plan.