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 five major responsibilities:

1. Forecasting future energy needs and keeping historical energy data;

2. Licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts or larger;

3. Promoting energy efficiency through appliance and building standards;

4. Developing energy technologies and supporting renewable energy; and

5. Planning for and directing the state response to energy emergencies.

With the signing of the Electric Industry Deregulation Law in 1998, the Commission's role includes overseeing programs that support public interest energy research; advance energy science and technology through research, development and demonstration; and provide market support to existing, new and emerging renewable technologies.

For more information, go to http://www.energy.ca.gov/.