Gas Research and Development Program: Proposed Budget Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24

In 2000, Assembly Bill (AB) 1002 (Wright, Chapter 932, Statutes of 2000) was enacted, requiring the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to add a surcharge on gas consumed in California. This surcharge funded various 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. 

This Gas Research and Development Budget Plan describes the CEC’s proposed gas research and development initiatives for Fiscal Year 2023–24. The proposed research and development aligns with the themes of gas leakage mitigation, building decarbonization, targeted gas system decommissioning, and leveraging cost share opportunities. The initiatives support state energy policies and goals, with several initiatives directly benefiting underresourced communities. The proposed research funding for Fiscal Year 2023–24 is $24 million and an additional $6,536,142 of supplemental funds, and the budget plan covers July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. The budget plan benefited from input from representatives of the Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group, CPUC and other agency coordination, and a public workshop, among other input received on CEC’s gas-related efforts. 

The CEC staff appreciates the coordination with CPUC on the proposed research initiatives and CPUC’s ongoing support to enable access to needed utility infrastructure data.