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Fuels and Transportation Division

photo of cars and traffic jam on freeway from iStockphoto [iStock_000005623969X]

Perhaps no other population in the world has embraced the automobile as passionately, nor is any other state defined as much by the car, as California. Roughly half of the energy Californians consume is for transportation.

In 2010, Californians consumed over 18 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel, resulting in the estimated emission of over 200 million metric tons of greenhouse gas equivalence. According to the latest inventory of statewide greenhouse gas emissions values, in 2008 the transportation sector represented 36 percent of statewide greenhouse gas emissions.

The Energy Commission is concerned with the impact transportation fuels have on our state. The Fuels and Transportation Division was created to focus on transportation energy and alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. The Division's mission is to ensure that adequate and reliable transportation energy is provided to the California transportation sector while balancing economic, public health, safety, and environmental consequences. As shown below, the division is organized into three technical offices.

Division Director
    Randy Roesser, Deputy Director
    916-654-4628


Division Offices

The Fuels and Transportation Division is broken down into three main offices:

Emerging Fuels & Technology Office

The Emerging Fuels & Technology Office assesses and demonstrates the market potential of new transportation technologies and fuels, encourages the widespread use of low-emission alternative fuels in emerging technologies, and evaluates the development risks of and opportunities for using alternative fuels in transportation applications.

Programs in this office included the nation's most ambitious demonstration and commercialization of fuel flexible vehicles - a technology that allows vehicles to operate on methanol, ethanol, gasoline or any combination of these fuels; a public-private partnership program with several major oil companies to distribute fuel methanol at retail outlets throughout California; and the country's largest demonstration of fuel-efficient school buses, nearly 50 percent of are alternatively fueled with natural gas or methanol.

The office is also involved in technology advancement activities that promote further development of cleaner and more energy efficient vehicle technologies.

California Energy Commission
Emerging Fuels & Technology Office
1516 Ninth Street, MS-27
Sacramento, CA 95814
Main Phone: 916-654-4634

  • Manager: John Butler, 916-654-4424
  • Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (AB 118 Implementation): AB118@energy.ca.gov
  • California Fuel Cell Partnership: Vacant
  • Clean Cities Program: Vacant
  • Heavy-Duty Advanced Technology Development: Vacant
  • School Bus Demonstration Program: Mike Trujillo
  • Truck Stop Electrification: Vacant

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Transportation Energy Office

The Transportation Energy Office serves the citizens of California by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data provided by the petroleum industry. The office is currently involved in the most pertinent and visible energy issues taking place in the state of California. The staff in the office is very active; aiding and educating citizens with current fuel price and supply information, as well as providing reports, testimony, presentations, data, and support to the Governor's office, state and federal agencies, cities, counties, community colleges, universities, bureaus, and the public at large.

This office performs analytical activities. Topics analyzed are developed through legislative mandates, research, or in response to issues related to transportation fuels, supply, price, and demand. The office publishes a 20-year transportation fuel supply and demand forecast biannually as part of the Integrated Energy Policy Report.

In the event of an emergency, fuel may need to be directed to emergency support functions such as police, fire, or ambulance services. In such an event, this office will coordinate the state's Emergency Fuel Allocation Program, where fuel is quickly delivered to needed areas. The office also maintains the California Energy Shortage Contingency Plan to respond to any emergency or disaster, ensuring adequate supplies of energy for public health, safety, and welfare.

California Energy Commission
Transportation Energy Office
1516 Ninth Street, MS-41
Sacramento, CA 95814
Main Phone: 916-654-4634


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Special Projects Office

The Special Projects Office coordinates many of the Energy Commission's broader, multi-disciplinary programs. Staff in this office work on a variety of energy issues including global climate change, export and border energy developments, and the energy efficient tire program. Staff also assists local agencies with planning to reduce GHC emissions and helps local governments to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities,

Under the Global Climate Change program, staff participate in and coordinate many activities including the Climate Action Team, the California Climate Action Registry, the California Climate Change Advisory Committee, the Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and the West Coast Governors' Global Warming Initiative.

The office's Energy Technology Export and Border Energy Program takes part in a variety of activities such as the International Energy Fund, trade missions, orientation visits. It provides market and trade analysis, maintains a database of California energy companies and works to improve energy flows and energy efficiency at California's border with Mexico.

Reducing the rolling resistance of tires can lead to substantial improvements n vehicle fuel economy. In 2003, a consumer bill AB 844, directed the California Energy Commission to develop and implement a Fuel-Efficient Tire Program that included standards for tires on passenger vehicles and light duty trucks.

The Local Agency Assistance Unit provides guidance, information and technical assistance to local and regional decision makers who are working to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By helping local governments make improved land use and development choices, the unit strives to achieve the goals laid out in AB 32 - The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

Through the Local Efficiency Services and Loan Program, the office provides loans and grants to local governments and other entities working to make infrastructure improvements to cut energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The office includes a multi-disciplined staff of engineers, analysts, and energy program specialists. The staff provides the technical skills needed to analyze the complex engineering, program delivery, and other issues affecting these customers.

The office's major programs include the Efficiency Services and Loan Programs, which develop and operate state and federally-funded technical and financial assistance programs that improve the efficient use of energy in buildings and processes.

The majority of these programs are for public agencies:

  • The Bright Schools Program helps public K-12 school districts and non-profit schools reduce energy costs in their facilities.
  • The Energy Partnership Program targets cities, counties, special districts, public or non-profit colleges, hospitals, and public care facilities.

    Both programs listed above help customers identify ways to save energy costs and to encourage the most efficient use of energy in their facilities.

  • The Energy Efficiency Financing Program provides qualifying agencies with low interest loans to fund energy-saving improvements to buildings, facilities, and processes.

California Energy Commission
Special Projects Office
1516 Ninth Street, MS-23
Sacramento, CA 95814
Main Phone: 916-651-0566

  • Special Projects Office Manager: Marcia Smith, 651-0566
  • Land Use Assistance Unit Supervisor: William Pfanner, 916-654-4206
  • Bright Schools and Greenhouse Gas Accounting Supervisor: Deborah Godfrey, 916-654-4044
  • International & Export Unit Supervisor: Al Estrada, 916-654-4194
  • Fuel Efficient Tire Program: Ray Tuvell

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