Welcome to the California Energy Commission

PIER Program Support Unit

The Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program Support Unit (PSU) supports the PIER Program's energy research, development and demonstration (RD&D) planning, agreement development, cost/benefits analyses, technology transfer, and public outreach efforts.

Planning

  • We coordinate development of the PIER Electric, Natural Gas, and Geothermal budget plans and work plans.
  • We identify training needs, develop training modules, and conduct training.

Developing Contracts and Grants

  • We assist RD&D program staff with the development of contracts and grants in coordination with the Energy Commission's Contracts Office, Grants Office, and Legal Office.

Sharing RD&D Information

  • We write and publish the PIER Annual Report to the California Legislature and the Natural Gas Annual/Budget Report to the California Public Utilities Commission.
  • We support the development of project fact sheets and research project final reports, and respond to Legislative, public and media inquiries.

Conducting Cost/Benefit Analyses

  • We evaluate the RD&D program economic, environmental and security benefits to California and develop new strategies and action plans for implementing cost/benefit analysis.

Educating

  • We educate the public on energy RD&D benefits through development of press releases and presentations, and dissemination of information through media, webinars, workshops and focus groups.

Contact

  • For further information on the Energy Commission's PIER Program Support Unit (PSU), please contact Alan Solomon, Alan.Solomon@energy.ca.gov.