The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Created by the Legislature in 1974 and located in Sacramento, the Commission responsibilities include:
- Forecasting future energy needs and keeping historical energy data.
- Licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts or larger.
- Promoting energy efficiency by setting the state’s appliance and building efficiency standards and working with local government to enforce those standards.
- Supporting public interest energy research that advances energy science and technology through research, development, and demonstration programs.
- Supporting renewable energy by providing market support to existing, new, and emerging renewable technologies; providing incentives for small wind and fuel cell electricity systems; and providing incentives for solar electricity systems in new home construction.
- Developing and implementing the state Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program to reduce the state’s petroleum dependency and help attain the state climate change policies.
- Administering more than $300 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding through the state energy program, the energy efficiency conservation and block grant program; the energy efficiency appliance rebate program and the energy assurance and emergency program.
- Planning for and directing state response to energy emergencies.
With energy challenges facing the state, the Commission and its dedicated staff of state employees stand ready to turn challenges into opportunities and help Californians continue to have energy choices that are affordable, reliable, diverse, safe, and environmentally acceptable.
New Energy Nexus is an international organization that supports clean energy entrepreneurs with funds, accelerators and networks. They started in California and also operate programs in China, India, Southeast Asia, and East Africa.
