Energy Commission Creates Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group

The California Energy Commission voted Dec. 13 to adopt a charter creating a new advisory group to help ensure the benefits of the 21st century grid reach low-income households and hard-to-reach customers such as those in rural and tribal communities.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will vote on adopting the charter Dec. 14.

The Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group will provide advice to the two agencies on ways to help disadvantaged communities benefit from proposed clean energy and pollution reduction programs, have access to clean energy technologies and receive affordable energy services.

Formation of the group is outlined in Senate Bill 350, the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015. It will be made up of people either from or representing disadvantaged communities. Ten members will be jointly chosen but separately approved by the Energy Commission and the CPUC, and a Native American representative will be selected by the Governor’s tribal liaison.

“We know that California’s disadvantaged communities are often the most burdened based on pollution, health and socio-economic factors,” said Energy Commissioner Janea A. Scott. “This advisory group will serve a critical role in helping us better understand how our energy programs can be most effective and useful to disadvantaged communities throughout the state.”

For more information about the Advisory Group and diversity efforts, see the web pages of the Energy Commission and CPUC.