Health & Saf. Code, § 41515

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.