3360 Energy Resource Conservation/Dvlmt Comm
Program Descriptions

10 - REGULATORY AND PLANNING PROGRAM

The Regulatory and Planning program facilitates markets in providing adequate statewide energy supplies. The program develops long-range projections of future energy supply and demand; maintains current information on statewide electrical generation, transmission, natural gas, and fuels markets; certifies power plant sites and designates transmission line corridors; monitors new energy facilities and fuel infrastructure for compliance and for supply and distribution adequacy consistent with state energy policies; develops state energy policy based on the economic, financial, security, safety, and environmental implications of supply, demand, and price assessments; and monitors energy markets to ensure competitive prices and to prevent potential market abuses.

10.10 - Power Plant Site Certification and Transmission Line Corridor Designation:
This program reviews power plant siting applications; ensures that power plant developers comply with conditions of certification and all applicable laws and regulations during the construction and operation of power plants; reviews applications for the designation of transmission line corridors; evaluates constraints and opportunities for energy resource development; and analyzes the reliability, efficiency, and environmental performance issues related to power plants and the state's electricity transmission grid.

10.20 - Electricity Resource Planning:
This program evaluates current and future electricity supply market trends and infrastructure needs; assesses the adequacy of electricity supplies; analyzes regulations and environmental issues related to electricity; addresses transmission line planning and permitting barriers; and provides information and recommendations to state agencies, electricity market participants, and the public. The natural gas component evaluates current and future natural gas market trends and infrastructure needs, assesses the adequacy of natural gas supplies, analyzes regulations and environmental issues related to natural gas, and leads interagency working groups to monitor short-term natural gas market trends.

10.30 - Demand Analysis:
This program collects and analyzes electricity and natural gas consumption data used to prepare energy demand forecasts; forecasts peak and total energy consumption by sector; and estimates the amount of energy conserved by existing and proposed program activities and impacts of standards, market, and price effects.

20 - ENERGY RESOURCES CONSERVATION PROGRAM

The Energy Resources Conservation program works to reduce overall energy use and decrease peak electricity demand by identifying energy efficiency opportunities and developing and implementing programs and standards for the efficient use of energy in all sectors.

20.10 - Buildings:
This program works to reduce consumer and business energy bills and peak demands by developing and implementing strategies and minimum efficiency standards for new and existing residential and nonresidential buildings, appliances, and equipment; provides building standards technical assistance and enforcement support to the building industry and building departments; maintains a database of energy efficiency appliances and equipment; and enforces compliance with the appliance efficiency standards.

20.30 - Energy Projects Evaluation and Assistance:
This program provides technical assistance, grants, and loans to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs of schools, hospitals, local governments, water and water treatment facilities, agricultural facilities, industry and multi-family housing.

20.40 - Demand Side Program Evaluation:
This program collects and analyzes electricity and natural gas consumption data used to prepare energy demand forecasts, forecasts peak and total energy consumption by sector, and estimates the amount of energy conserved by existing and proposed program activities.

30 - DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The Development Program conducts research, development, demonstration, commercialization, and deployment activities on energy efficiency, renewable and advanced energy technologies, and alternative and renewable fuel and advanced vehicle technologies to ensure that future energy supplies are cost effective, secure and reliable, enhance environmental quality, and promote state and local economic development. The program provides technical assistance, financial assistance, direct technology research and demonstration, technology forecasting, technology analysis and evaluation, and information transfer. The program also helps energy technology companies export their technologies, products, and services to international markets and helps California companies develop international energy projects.

30.20 - Transportation Technology and Fuels:
This program provides analyses and recommendations that guide state energy policy and legislation to achieve climate change objectives, reduce petroleum consumption, and promote economic development. The program provides financial incentives for alternative and renewable fuels and advanced vehicles, alternative fuel infrastructure, and workforce training. The program monitors, analyzes, and reports on transportation fuel supply and production, fuel infrastructure issues, transportation fuel demand trends, and responds to energy and fuel shortages and emergencies. The program assists local and regional agencies reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions through land use planning and community design, provides support to the Governor's border energy commitments, and facilitates international trade missions and delegation visits.

30.30 - Research and Development:
This program supports energy research and development projects not adequately addressed by competitive and regulated markets. The program's goal is to develop, and help bring to market, energy technologies that provide increased environmental benefits, greater system reliability, and lower energy costs, and that provide benefits to California citizens through investments in research and development of advanced electricity generation and transportation technologies, energy efficiency, and technologies that reduce or eliminate consumption of water and other finite resources, increase use of renewable energy resources, or improve energy transmission or distribution.

30.40 - Technology Evaluation:
This program fosters the growth of the renewable energy market by providing production-based incentives and rebates to purchasers of renewable products, tracking and verifying renewable energy transactions, and educating the public about renewable energy.

99 - LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

This program consists of Conservation and Development program loan repayments, which are deposited in the following accounts: State Energy Conservation Assistance Account; Local Jurisdiction Energy Assistance Account; Energy Technologies Research, Development and Demonstration Account; and Local Government Geothermal Resources Revolving Subaccount.