In 2000, Assembly Bill 1002 (Wright, Chapter 932, Statutes of 2000) was enacted, requiring the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to impose a surcharge on natural gas consumed in California. These monies funded various energy efficiency programs and public interest research and development to benefit natural gas ratepayers. AB 1002 also required the CPUC to designate an entity to administer the research component of AB 1002. In 2004, the CPUC issued Decision 04-08-010, designating the California Energy Commission as the research fund administrator.
The Natural Gas Research and Development Program 2018 Annual Report highlights project successes and benefits, and covers results of completed projects and the progress of current research from July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018. In fiscal year 2017-2018, the California Energy Commission administered $24 million in natural gas research, development, and demonstration projects geared toward improving energy efficiency, renewable energy, advanced generation, and energy infrastructure for natural gas in California.
