Budget Trends and Highlights (2022-2025)

Position Growth

• Overall Growth: Steady increase from 760.0 positions in 2022-23 to 785.0 positions in 2024-25
• Program Distribution:
  • Regulatory and Planning: 212.4 positions (27%)
  • Energy Resources Conservation: 288.4 positions (37%)
  • Development: 284.2 positions (36%)

Budget Fluctuations

• Peak Funding: FY 2023-24 saw highest total budget at $3.81 billion
• Major Changes:
  • Significant reduction from $3.81 billion in 2023-24 to $764.6 million in 2024-25
  • General Fund allocation decreased from $1.75 billion to $203 million
  • New Proposition 98 funding of $125 million in 2024-25

Major Program Funding (2024-25)

• Electric Program Investment: $148 million
• Alternative and Renewable Fuel: $112.3 million
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction: $143.9 million
• Energy Resources Programs: $83.3 million

Major Funding Codes and Sources

Program Codes

• 2380 - Regulatory and Planning: Facility oversight, building standards, and public policy
• 2385 - Energy Resources Conservation: Efficiency standards and conservation programs
• 2390 - Development: Research, demonstration, and deployment initiatives

Funding Source Codes

• 0001 - General Fund: State's primary operating fund
• 3211 - Electric Program Investment Charge Fund: Research and development funding
• 3228 - Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Climate change initiatives
• 3117 - Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Fund: Clean transportation
• 0465 - Energy Resources Programs Account: Core program operations
• 3109 - Natural Gas Subaccount: Natural gas research and development
• 3237 - Cost of Implementation Account: Air pollution control initiatives

Major Projects and Initiatives

Building Standards and Efficiency

1. Building Energy Efficiency Standards:

   • Development and updates of state building budgetCodes
   • Technical assistance support for compliance
   • Integration of zero-emission technologies

2. Appliance Efficiency Program:

   • Standards development and enforcement
   • Market surveillance and testing
   • Manufacturer certification requirements

Clean Transportation Programs

1. Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology:

   • Infrastructure development for zero-emission vehicles
   • Technology demonstration and deployment
   • Market transformation initiatives

2. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure:

   • Charging station deployment
   • Grid integration studies
   • Regional readiness planning

Energy Research and Innovation

1. EPIC Program (Electric Program Investment Charge):

   • Clean energy technology development
   • Grid modernization projects
   • Energy storage solutions

2. Natural Gas Research Program:

   • Efficiency improvements
   • Renewable gas development
   • Infrastructure safety

Climate Initiatives

1. Greenhouse Gas Reduction:

   • Clean energy deployment
   • Technology demonstrations
   • Community-scale projects

2. Long Duration Storage:

   • Grid-scale storage solutions
   • Technology assessment
   • Integration planning

Administrative Structure

The Energy Commission operates with five commissioners appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The organization includes:

1. Executive Office
2. Chief Counsel's Office
3. Public Advisor's Office
4. Major Divisions:
   • Efficiency
   • Renewable Energy
   • Research and Development
   • Siting, Transmission and Environmental Protection
   • Administrative Services

Funding Allocation Process

1. Annual Budget Process:

   • Development of funding priorities
   • Public workshops and stakeholder input
   • Commission business meetings for approval

2. Program Implementation:

   • Competitive solicitations
   • Direct funding agreements
   • Technical assistance contracts

3. Oversight and Reporting:

   • Regular progress updates
   • Financial audits
   • Legislative reporting

Sources