Energy Commission Adopts Key Energy Policy Report
The California Energy Commission has adopted its biennial report on energy issues facing the state.
The 2015 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR), which was adopted at the February 10 business meeting, assesses major energy trends and issues and provides policy recommendations. This year's edition covers a broad range of topics including the continuing need to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and appliances, decarbonizing the electricity sector and reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.
The report provides a 10-year forecast of electricity consumption and peak demand. It finds projected electricity consumption to be slightly lower than past projections because of declining consumption and higher projections for self-generation, mostly from photovoltaic systems. The report also projects higher natural gas demand, but less natural gas to be used for electricity generation.
The report forecasts transportation energy demand for the next 10 years and provides updates on the electricity infrastructure in Southern California, the status of California's nuclear plants, and trends in crude oil production and transport.
The Energy Commission is responsible for preparing the IEPR, which provides a comprehensive integrated approach to solving the state's energy needs and issues, every two years and the IEPR Update in the intervening year. Among the energy trends and issues included are integrated assessments, analyses and forecasts of California’s energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery and distribution, demand, and prices. The Energy Commission uses the assessments and forecasts to develop policies that conserve resources, protect the environment, ensure energy reliability, enhance the state’s economy, and protect public health and safety.
Once adopted, the IEPR is submitted to the Governor and Legislature. Policy recommendations in the IEPR inform energy policy decisions that the Governor, Legislature and other state agencies make.
