Bill > AB734

This bill requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to make biological resources data publicly available when it is submitted as part of powerplant or power line certification applications, with a specific protection mechanism for sensitive species information. The bill defines biological resources data as information about species and their habitats, including observations, surveys, scientific studies, and habitat condition maps. If the Department of Fish and Wildlife determines that certain location data from the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) could pose a significant risk to individual species if disclosed, they must provide a written determination specifying how much of that data can be safely released. The commission is then required to make the data publicly available on its docket in accordance with the department's determination. This applies to both small powerplant exemption applications and larger eligible facility certification applications (such as solar or wind projects over 50 megawatts), ensuring transparency while maintaining protections for vulnerable species. The bill aims to balance public access to environmental information with the need to protect sensitive ecological data from potential harm.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB734