Message from Chair Hochschild - April 2020

For Immediate Release: April 6, 2020

Dear fellow Californians:

As our state continues to combat COVID-19 and manage its impacts, all the commissioners and staff at the CEC remain 100% committed to advancing our mission of building a cleaner, healthier future and we are doing everything we can to be a part of the solution, including helping to recession-proof the innovation economy as best we can.  

Over the past two weeks, the CEC has re-invented the workplace and set up new systems that will allow us to successfully fulfill our obligations remotely. Thank you for your patience and understanding during our transition to the new teleworking environment that will be in place until it is safe to resume normal operations.

To minimize disruptions to the CEC’s workflow during this time, we have implemented some new processes that will help us continue providing important services and resources such as administering grants and processing invoices.

For help identifying appropriate staff to speak with for questions or help, go to the CEC Staff Directory webpage located at https://www.energy.ca.gov/contact/commissioners-offices-and-divisions-contacts/staff-directory.

To get in touch with the CEC’s Ombudsman regarding concerns about grants or processing invoices, please contact Jennifer.martin-gallardo@energy.ca.gov

To get in touch with the CEC’s Public Advisor for assistance with participating in CEC proceedings, providing public comment, identifying staff to help you, or to request language services or other reasonable accommodations, please contact PublicAdvisor@energy.ca.gov or call  (916) 654-4489.

Our April 8, 2020 Business Meeting and most other scheduled events will be held remotely, consistent with Governor Newsom’s Executive Orders N-25-20 and N-29-20 and the recommendations from the California Department of Public Health to encourage social distancing in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. The public may participate and/or observe the Business Meeting and other events consistent with the direction in these Executive Orders. Instructions for remote participation can be found in the notice for each event at the CEC Event webpage located at https://www.energy.ca.gov/events.

Finally, it is especially important in these challenging times that we find the best parts of the human spirit and come together to help one another in every way we can, particularly the most vulnerable among us, and that we reach out and connect with one another. While we all need to keep physical distance, social connection is more important now than ever. That connection between us all is what keeps us strong. Supporting one another is how our state and our society will make it through this.  Never forget California is a resilient state. We have made it through tough times before and we will make it through this moment as well.

Sincerely,   

David Hochschild
Chair
California Energy Commission
916-654-3992
www.energy.ca.gov