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 gas consumed in California. These monies funded energy efficiency programs and public-interest research and development to benefit 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 (CEC) as the research fund administrator. In 2021, Section 25620.8 of the Public Resources Code was amended to provide further guidance on the preparation and submission of an annual report.
This Gas Research and Development Program 2023 Annual Report highlights project successes and research benefits of completed and in-progress projects from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. In Fiscal Year 2022–2023, the CEC administered $24 million for gas research, development, and demonstration geared toward improving entrepreneurial support; building decarbonization; gas system decarbonization; industrial and agricultural innovation; transportation; and resiliency, health, and safety in California.
