California Energy Commission

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 has six major responsibilities:

• Forecasting future energy needs and keeping historical energy data
• Licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts or larger
• Promoting energy efficiency through appliance and building standards
• Developing energy technologies and supporting renewable energy
• Planning for and directing state response to energy emergencies
• Overseeing funding programs for public interest energy research