State Senate Confirms Siva Gunda As California Energy Commissioner

 SACRAMENTO –  The California State Senate has confirmed Commissioner Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission (CEC). 

 

The Governor appoints five commissioners to staggered five-year terms after Senate confirmation. Each commissioner appointed must come from and represent specific areas of expertise: law, environment, economics, science and engineering, and the public at large. 

 

In February 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Gunda to serve as the CEC’s public member. The Senate voted on Gunda's confirmation on August 16. He is the lead commissioner for energy assessments, electric reliability, and data initiatives. 

 

“For somebody just beginning his career 15 years ago, the vision of California’s work is inspiring and truly fulfilling to be a part of," Gunda said during his confirmation hearing. 

 

He previously served as manager of the Demand Analysis Office and deputy director for the CEC’s Energy Assessments Division. The division forecasts and assesses energy demand and supply. 

 

Before joining the CEC, Gunda served in a variety of capacities at the Energy Efficiency Institute at the University of California, Davis, including as the director of research, where he oversaw the institute’s operations and research portfolio. 

 

His main goal as a commissioner is to help California transition to a clean energy economy for all. His priorities include improving procedural equity for stakeholders, continuing to modernize data tools, and ensuring robust analyses to support the decision-making to guide California’s future energy needs for the next 25 years. 

 

Information about the CEC commissioners is available, including high-resolution photos.