California Energy Commission : Energy Commission Adopts RPS Results for POUs, Energy Demand Forecast Through 2027

For Immediate Release: January 25, 2017
Media Contact: Michael Ward - 916-654-4989

MEDIA ADVISORY

SACRAMENTO- The California Energy Commission looked back during today's business meeting to see how publicly owned utilities (POUs) did in meeting California's renewable energy requirements from 2011-2013 and looked ahead to predict how much energy the state will need through 2027.

Commissioners adopted the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) Verification Results Reports. California's RPS requires POUs and retail sellers to procure 33 percent of their annual retail sales from eligible renewable sources by 2020 and 50 percent of retail sales by 2030. It also establishes intermediate targets for each compliance period. For the 2011-2013 period, POUs had to procure 20 percent of their retail sales from renewable sources. Collectively, the 42 POUs reached 19 percent during the compliance period, and 26 met or exceeded the requirement.

Commissioners awarded about $4.5 million in Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Natural Gas Program grants to the Gas Technology Institute, Advanced Microgrid Solutions, Inc., and Energx Controls, Inc. for projects that will improve energy efficiency by reducing natural gas use and greenhouse gas and other emissions in homes and facilities. The research projects will be located in Los Angeles and Orange counties to help mitigate impacts from the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility.

Commissioners also adopted the California Energy Demand Updated Forecast, 2017-2027, which provides a series of projections and scenarios on baseline electricity consumption, sales and peak demand for the state for the next 10 years. The forecast is used by stakeholders such as the California Independent System Operator to assist with transmission planning and by the California Public Utilities Commission for long- term energy procurement.

The report updates the California Energy Demand 2016-2026 Revised Forecast incorporating more recent economic and demographic projections and adjustments based on the latest historical data available for consumption, peak demand, temperatures, and electricity rates.

Commissioners also approved $900,000 in Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program grants to the San Gabriel Valley Water Company and Stantec Consulting Services Inc., for projects to improve the performance and cost effectiveness of small hydropower.

The EPIC program supports innovative technologies and approaches that bring clean energy ideas to market and that benefit the ratepayers of California's three largest electric investor-owned utilities. The PIER Natural Gas Program supports projects that identify and address emerging natural gas‐related trends important to California's energy future

For details on all actions taken today, see the business meeting agenda.

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The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. The agency was established by the California Legislature through the Warren-Alquist Act in 1974. It has seven core responsibilities : advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying thermal power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation and preparing for energy emergencies.