(a) If the authority determines under Section 3350 that additional electric generation supply is required to meet the purposes of this division, the authority may undertake the following activities to ensure that the authority, or any participating party, is able to build, own, and operate generation facilities as part of a least cost electric supply policy:
(1) Identify suitable sites for the construction of generation facilities, taking into account fuel supply, interconnection, community, and environmental factors.
(2) Secure rights to the sites identified, including, but not limited to, fee simple acquisition, leaseholds, or options.
(3) Conduct any studies that may be necessary to construct and operate generation facilities at the site, including, but not limited to, environmental, engineering, or feasibility studies.
(4) Conduct, in coordination with the Energy Commission, all applicable public and community involvement processes.
(5) Apply for permits, licenses, or other local, state, or federal approvals, including, but not limited to, compliance with the applicable procedures of the Energy Commission.
(b) The authority may request proposals from qualified participating parties to purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire sites for the purpose of developing generation facilities that will provide the lowest cost power to consumers over the life of the facilities, consistent with Section 3351.
(c) The authority shall comply with all applicable air quality laws and regulations and the Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Act (Division 15 (commencing with Section 25000) of the Public Resources Code).
(Added by Stats. 2001, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 10, Sec. 1. Effective August 13, 2001.)