STATE OF CALIFORNIA
ENERGY RESOURCES CONSERVATION
AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Notice of Meeting
PIER
Independent Review Panel (IRP)

A panel of independent experts will hold a two day meeting as a part of their review of the Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program.

TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2003
Beginning at Noon
and
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2003
Beginning at 8 a.m.
CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
1516 Ninth Street
Second Floor, Large Conference Room
Sacramento, California
(Wheelchair Accessible)

The Energy Commission staff will make presentations on the environment within which PIER operates, including the California energy context, the PIER program environment, history, mandate, policies, priorities, goals, and processes, to provide the foundation for the IRP discussion. In particular, the Energy Action Plan and the 2003 Integrated Energy Policy Report will be highlighted. The Energy Action Plan is a coordinated effort by the California Public Utilities Commission, the Consumer Power and Conservation Financing Authority and the California Energy Commission. The report is available on the Commission website: www.energy.ca.gov/2003_energy_action_plan.

Background

In 1996, California enacted major legislation and other public policies to significantly restructure both the nature and the regulation of this state's electric services industry. Among other things, Public Utilities Code Section 381 authorizes funding of not less than $62.5 million annually for the PIER program. The PIER program is primarily administered by the California Energy Commission to fund public interest energy research. A review of the program by an independent panel of experts was completed in March 2001.

Legislation enacted in January 2003 modified Public Resources Code Section 25620.9 and mandated a follow-on evaluation of the PIER program by a panel of independent experts. The panel (IRP) will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the program. The evaluation shall include a review of the public value, including but not limited to the monetary and non-monetary benefits of public health and the environment, and the benefit of providing funds for technology development that would otherwise not be funded.

The IRP will meet to carry out the evaluation and will submit its written findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature in June 2004 and March 2005.

Public Participation

The Energy Commission's Public Adviser, Roberta Mendonca, provides the public assistance in participating in Energy Commission activities. If you would like information on how to participate in this workshop, please contact the Public Adviser's Office by phone at 916-654-4489 or toll free at 800-822-6228, by FAX at 916-654-4493, or by e-mail at [pao@energy.state.ca.us]. If you have a disability and require assistance to participate in this workshop, please contact Lou Quiroz, 916-654-5146, at least five days in advance.

If you have questions on the subject of this meeting, please call Nancy Libonati, 916-654-4615, or e-mail her at [nlibonat@energy.state.ca.us].

News media inquiries should be directed to Claudia Chandler, Assistant Director, at 916-654-4989.