SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The latest energy policy report from the California Energy Commission (CEC) places a heavy emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Noting that the development of new renewable resources has been slower than anticipated, the CEC recommends simplifying, streamlining, and expediting the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard process.

The report also says the state needs to focus on repowering aging wind facilities to increase the amount of renewable generation from these prime sites, while addressing the current barriers to integrating intermittent wind resources into the state's transmission system. With the need to aggressively bring new generation online, the CEC also recommends new incentives and requirements for greater use of combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

Overall, the report reaffirms the order of priorities set by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Energy Action Plan in meeting the state's supply needs: energy efficiency first, followed by demand response and renewable energy.

Publication date: 12/05/2005