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:

• 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 emergency

With the signing of the Electric Industry Deregulation Law in 1998 (Assembly Bill 1890), the Commission's role includes overseeing funding 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.

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.