(a)
It is the intent of the Legislature to improve the process of siting and licensing new thermal electric powerplants to ensure that these facilities can be sited in a timely manner, while protecting environmental quality and public participation in the siting process.
(b)
Notwithstanding Section 7550.5 of the Government Code, the commission shall prepare a report to the Governor and the Legislature on or before March 31, 2000, that identifies administrative and statutory measures that, preserving environmental protections and public participation, would improve the commission’s siting and licensing process for thermal powerplants of 50 megawatts and larger. The report shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1)
An examination of potential process efficiencies associated with required hearings, site visits, and documents.
(2)
A review of the impacts on both process efficiency and public participation of restrictions on communications between applicants, the public, and staff or decisionmakers.
(3)
An assessment of means for improving coordination with the licensing activities of local jurisdictions and participation by other state agencies.
(4)
An assessment of organizational structure issues including the adequacy of the amounts and organization of current technical and legal resources.
(5)
Recommendations for administrative and statutory measures to improve the siting and licensing process.
(c)
The commission may immediately implement any administrative recommendations. Regulations, as identified in paragraph (5), adopted within 180 days of the effective date of this section may be adopted as emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of the Government Code. For purposes of that chapter, including Section 11349.6 of the Government Code, the adoption of the regulations shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law to be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare.