The Special Projects Office coordinates many of the Energy Commission's more broad and multi-disciplinary programs. Staff in this office work on a variety of energy issues including the LNG working group, global climate change, bioenergy action plan, contingency planning, and export and border energy.

The LNG working group's mission is to establish close communication among and support for agencies potentially involved in the permitting process of any LNG facility in California.

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

The Bioenergy Interagency Working Group, composed of state agencies with important biomass connections, is developing an integrated and comprehensive state policy and action plan on biomass, which includes electricity, natural gas and petroleum substitution potential.

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.

Another major program in the office is the Energy Technology Export Program which includes a variety of activities including the International Energy Fund, trade missions, orientation visits, market and trade analysis, and surveying California energy companies.