California Energy Commission
General Information

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.
-Implementing the state's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.
-Planning for and directing state response to energy emergencies.