Not later than June 30, 2007, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, in partnership with the state board, and in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Food and Agriculture, and other relevant state agencies, shall develop and adopt a state plan to increase the use of alternative transportation fuels.

(a) The plan shall include an evaluation of alternative fuels on a full fuel-cycle assessment of emissions of criteria air pollutants, air toxics, greenhouse gases, water pollutants, and other substances that are known to damage human health, impacts on petroleum consumption, and other matters the state board deems necessary.

(b) The plan shall set goals for the years 2012, 2017, and 2022 for increased alternative fuel use in the state that accomplishes all of the following:

(1) Optimizes the environmental and public health benefits of alternative fuels, including, but not limited to, reductions in criteria air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and water pollutants consistent with existing or future state board regulations in the most cost-effective manner possible.

(2) Ensures that there is no net material increase in air pollution, water pollution, or any other substances that are known to damage human health.

(3) Minimizes the economic costs to the state, if any.

(4) Maximizes the economic benefits of producing alternative fuels in the state.

(5) Considers issues related to consumer acceptance and costs and identifies methods to overcome any barriers to alternative fuel use.

(c) The plan shall recommend policies to ensure alternative fuel goals are attained, including, but not limited to:

(1) Standards on transportation fuels and vehicles.

(2) Requirements, financial incentives, and other policy mechanisms to ensure that vehicles capable of operating on alternative fuels use those fuels to the maximum extent feasible.

(3) Requirements, financial incentives, and other policy mechanisms to ensure that alternative fuel fueling stations are available to drivers of alternative fuel vehicles.

(4) Incentives, requirements, programs, or other mechanisms to encourage the research, development, demonstration, commercialization, manufacturing, or production of vehicles that use alternative fuels.

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 371, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)