STATE OF CALIFORNIA
ENERGY RESOURCES CONSERVATION
AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Notice of Meeting
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, OCTOBER 21, 2003
Beginning at 12 Noon
and
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2003
Beginning at 8 a.m.

The meeting will be held at:
THE ARNOLD & MABEL BECKMAN CENTER
The Newport Room
100 ACADEMY DRIVE
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA
(Wheelchair Accessible)

The Beckman Center is located in Irvine at the corner of University Drive and California Avenue. The entrance is on Academy Drive. Parking is free in the lot next to the building.

The IRP will continue gathering information and developing issues for their review of the PIER program.

Background

In 1996, California enacted major legislation and other public policies to 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, which 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, Margret Kim, 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.