The PIER Natural Gas program resides within the Energy Research and Development (ERD) Division of the California Energy Commission. In addition to administering the PIER Natural Gas program, ERD has also implemented the Electricity Public Interest Energy Research program for seven years. The PIER Program annually awards up to $62 million to conduct the most promising public interest energy research by partnering with RD&D organizations including individuals, businesses, utilities, and public or private research institutions.
PIER brings new energy services and products to the marketplace and creates statewide environmental and economic benefits. PIER funding efforts are focused on the following RD&D program areas:
- Buildings End-Use Energy Efficiency
- Energy Innovations Small Grant Program
- Energy-Related Environmental Research
- Energy Systems Integration
- Environmentally-Preferred Advanced Generation
- Industrial/Agricultural/Water End-Use Energy Efficiency
- Renewable Energy Technologies
The research expertise nascent within the PIER electricity program subject areas is being used to effectively implement the PIER natural gas program.
CONTACTS
Questions regarding specific research efforts may directed to the PIER program area leads:
| Subject Area | Contact | Phone Number |
| Natural Gas End-Use Efficiency, Residential and Commercial | Ann Peterson | 916-653-4246 |
| Natural Gas End-Use Efficiency, Industrial and Agricultural | Pramod Kulkarni | 916-654-4637 |
| Environmental Research | Kelly Birkinshaw | 916-654-4542 |
| Transportation Energy Research | Phil Misemer | 916-654-4552 |
| Renewable Energy Research | Elaine Sison-Lebrilla | 916-653-0363 |
| Strategic Analysis | Mike Gravely | 916-651-0316 |
| Environmentally-Preferred Advanced Generation | Art Soinski | 916-654-4674 |